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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 black-and-white print shows a group of people gathered around a throne-like chair. The seated figure in the center wears a tall, pointed hat and holds a globe. Others stand nearby—some look serious, one holds a staff, and another leans on a chain. The scene feels busy, with swirling lines and dramatic poses. Notice how the artist used sharp, scratchy lines to create texture and movement. This isn’t a painting—it’s made by etching, where the design is carved into a metal plate. Next, look up etching to see how artists like Callot made prints like this.