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Captain of the Barons

Jacques Callot

1622

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Allegory

Dominant colour

Captain of the Barons 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 a big, rough-looking man in the center. He’s holding a banner that says *"Captain of the Barons"* and a stick like a weapon. His clothes are baggy, and he’s carrying a drum slung over his shoulder. Behind him, a crowd of smaller figures watches, some with sticks or tools. The banner and his bold pose suggest he’s leading something—maybe a group or a cause. The artist used sharp lines and shading to make the scene feel dramatic and busy. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this made prints from metal plates.