Who painted Candle Stick?

Candle Stick was painted by Jacques Callot in 1628.

Where can I see Candle Stick?

Candle Stick is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Candle Stick?

Candle Stick is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Candle Stick

Jacques Callot , 1628

Candle Stick is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1628 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jacques Callot’s 1628 print *Candle Stick* is an etching executed on laid paper. The composition presents a sparsely furnished interior illuminated only by a solitary candle placed on a modest table. Two tall windows open onto a muted landscape, while the room’s walls and wooden floor are rendered with a restrained, textured surface that emphasizes quietude.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures a moment of stillness, focusing on the candle as a solitary point of interest within an otherwise dim space. The absence of actual illumination from the flame suggests contemplation of presence without effect, inviting viewers to consider the tension between visibility and obscurity in everyday settings.

Technique & Style

Callot employs precise, incised lines to delineate light and shadow, creating a subtle chiaroscuro that defines the room’s architecture and the faint view beyond the windows. The etched marks on the laid paper convey texture—suggesting woven wall surfaces and grainy wood—while the overall composition reflects the baroque interest in detailed observation of ordinary subjects.

History & Provenance

Part of Callot’s prolific output of more than 1,400 etchings, *Candle Stick* exemplifies his dedication to documenting contemporary life, ranging from military scenes to domestic interiors. Produced in the Duchy of Lorraine, the print circulated among collectors of the period and remains a representative example of early 17th‑century French printmaking.