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Baptism of the Prince of Spain

Jacques Callot

1612

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Allegory

Dominant colour

Baptism of the Prince of Spain is a 1612 ink by Jacques Callot, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Jacques Callot
When & what style?: 1612 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This etching depicts a baptism scene, with a priest standing at the center, holding a baby above a large baptismal font. The priest is surrounded by several figures, including a woman holding the baby and a man standing to her right. The scene is set against a backdrop of columns and drapery. The figures in the scene are dressed in elaborate clothing, with the priest wearing a tall hat and the woman wearing a long dress with a cloak. The man to her right is dressed in a shorter tunic and leggings. The overall atmosphere of the scene is one of solemnity and reverence. The level of detail in the etching is impressive, with intricate lines and textures that give the scene a sense of depth and dimensionality. To learn more about the artist's technique, look up the etching process.