Elevation of Churches including the Holy Manger

Elevation of Churches including the Holy Manger

Jacques Callot

1619

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This drawing shows two views of a church and its underground spaces. The top half is a side cutaway, revealing arches, staircases, and a hidden underground room. The bottom half is a front view with a bell tower, arched windows, and a small chapel attached. The tiny figures inside give a sense of scale—this isn’t just a building, it’s a whole world of hidden rooms. The Italian text labels parts like the "Holy Manger" and "underground door," hinting at secret spaces. Next, look up etching to see how artists like Callot used ink and metal plates to create these sharp, detailed lines.

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