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Christ Carrying the Cross

Jacques Callot

1631

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Religious

Dominant colour

Christ Carrying the Cross is a 1631 ink by Jacques Callot, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Jacques Callot
When & what style?: 1631 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This black-and-white scene shows a crowd of people around a man carrying a cross. Soldiers in armor push forward, while others watch or reach out. The ground is uneven, and the whole image feels crowded and tense. Notice how the artist used lines to create shadows and movement—this isn’t paint but ink pressed into paper. The technique makes the scene feel urgent and dramatic. Look up etching to see how artists like Callot made prints with needles and acid.