Artwork

The Martyrdom of the Apostles: St. James the Greater

The Martyrdom of the Apostles:  St. James the Greater, by Jacques Callot, 1632
The Martyrdom of the Apostles:  St. James the Greater, by Jacques Callot, 1632

The Martyrdom of the Apostles: St. James the Greater is a print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1632 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The Martyrdom of the Apostles: St.

About this work

Overview

The Martyrdom of the Apostles: St. James the Greater is an etching by Jacques Callot, dated to around 1632, and is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts the martyrdom of St. James the Greater, showing a chaotic scene with a central figure on the ground, surrounded by a crowd, while a robed figure floats above, holding a scroll.

Technique & Style

Callot employed chiaroscuro, using deep shadows and dramatic light to create tension, making the figures stand out against the dark background, a style characteristic of religious scenes during that period.

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.