Artwork

The Large Miseries of War: Marauding

The Large Miseries of War:  Marauding, by Jacques Callot, 1633
The Large Miseries of War:  Marauding, by Jacques Callot, 1633

The Large Miseries of War: Marauding is a print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1633 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jacques Callot’s 1633 print, The Large Miseries of War: Marauding, is a black‑and‑white work that captures a tumultuous street assault. The composition depicts armed figures in antiquated dress overwhelming civilians and a modest dwelling, with bodies sprawled, fleeing figures, and even a dog caught in the fray. The print is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The image portrays a scene of pillage and violence, illustrating the broader horrors of war on ordinary people. By focusing on a cramped urban setting, Callot emphasizes the vulnerability of civilians when confronted by marauding troops, suggesting the indiscriminate nature of wartime suffering.

Technique & Style

Callot employs rapid, sketch‑like lines that convey motion and disorder, while maintaining a crisp, exacting quality. The lack of tonal shading gives the scene a stark graphic intensity, aligning with Baroque tendencies toward dramatic, energetic representation, yet the execution remains distinctly linear and precise.

History & Provenance

Created in 1633, the print belongs to Callot’s series on the miseries of war, a body of work that documented contemporary conflicts. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition, where it remains on display as a representative example of early seventeenth‑century war imagery.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jacques Callot

Artist

Jacques Callot

Jacques Callot was a baroque printmaker and draftsman from the Duchy of Lorraine.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.