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Duel with Swords and Daggers

Jacques Callot

1617

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque

Dominant colour

Duel with Swords and Daggers is a 1617 ink by Jacques Callot, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Jacques Callot
When & what style?: 1617 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows two men mid-duel, swords crossed in the center. One man lunges forward, his body twisted as he grips a dagger in his free hand. The other parries with his sword, his cloak billowing behind him. The ground is rough, almost like waves, and their faces are blurred—just shapes, not details. The artist used quick, sharp lines to show movement and tension. The clothes look old-fashioned, with lots of folds and layers. This isn’t a polished painting—it’s a sketchy, fast-drawn moment. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this made prints.