Who painted The Siege of La Rochelle: Plate 13?

The Siege of La Rochelle: Plate 13 was painted by Jacques Callot in 1629.

Where can I see The Siege of La Rochelle: Plate 13?

The Siege of La Rochelle: Plate 13 is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Siege of La Rochelle: Plate 13?

The Siege of La Rochelle: Plate 13 is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

The Siege of La Rochelle: Plate 13

Jacques Callot , 1629

The Siege of La Rochelle: Plate 13 is a print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1629 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jacques Callot’s plate titled *The Siege of La Rochelle* (Plate 13) is a 1629 print that records a moment from the French civil wars of the early seventeenth century. The image is part of a larger series documenting the siege, and it is presently conserved in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The composition portrays a fortified urban landscape under assault, with infantry and cavalry advancing amid the chaos of battle. By focusing on the density of figures and the interaction between soldiers, horses, and the city’s walls, the work conveys the intensity of the conflict and the human cost of the siege.

Technique & Style

Callot employs fine line work and nuanced hatching to render texture and spatial recession. The careful modulation of light and shadow creates a layered sense of depth, allowing foreground troops to stand out against the receding architecture. This meticulous approach exemplifies Callot’s reputation for intricate etching.

History & Provenance

Executed in 1629, the plate was produced during Callot’s mature period, when he was actively publishing series of historical prints. The Cleveland Museum of Art acquired the work as part of its early modern European print collection, though the exact acquisition date is not recorded in the available sources.

Context

The siege depicted was a pivotal episode in the Huguenot rebellions, when royal forces besieged the Protestant stronghold of La Rochelle. Callot’s series served both as a visual record and as propaganda, illustrating the might of the crown and the turmoil of the era.