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Cap. Babeo and Cucuba

Jacques Callot

1622

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Allegory

Dominant colour

Cap. Babeo and Cucuba is a 1622 ink by Jacques Callot, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Jacques Callot
When & what style?: 1622 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows two oddly dressed figures in a street scene. The person on the left, labeled "Cap. Babeo," wears a feathered hat, a loose shirt, and a necklace of round beads. The one on the right, "Cucuba," has a tall feathered headdress, a wrapped skirt, and holds a curved object like a staff. In the background, small groups of people and buildings look like a busy town. The two figures seem to be mocking serious roles—one looks like a captain, the other a warrior—but their exaggerated clothes and poses make them look silly. The artist used sharp lines to show movement and humor. Check out the technique: etching to see how artists like Callot made these crisp, detailed sketches.