Artwork

The Slave Market

The Slave Market, by Jacques Callot, 1629
The Slave Market, by Jacques Callot, 1629

The Slave Market 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

The Slave Market is an etching by Jacques Callot, created in 1629, and is now held at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a crowded street scene divided into two main groups: a cluster of elegantly dressed men on the left and a larger, more agitated crowd on the right, where a figure is being lifted on a pulley system.

Technique & Style

Callot employed sharp lines and deep shadows to create a dramatic effect, utilizing chiaroscuro to heighten the tension in the scene through stark contrasts between light and dark.

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.