Who painted Entry of M. de Couvonge and M. de Chalabre [extra plate]?

Entry of M. de Couvonge and M. de Chalabre [extra plate] was painted by Jacques Callot in 1627.

Where can I see Entry of M. de Couvonge and M. de Chalabre [extra plate]?

Entry of M. de Couvonge and M. de Chalabre [extra plate] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Entry of M. de Couvonge and M. de Chalabre [extra plate]?

Entry of M. de Couvonge and M. de Chalabre [extra plate] is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Entry of M. de Couvonge and M. de Chalabre [extra plate]

Jacques Callot , 1627

Entry of M. de Couvonge and M. de Chalabre [extra plate] is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1627 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jacques Callot, a French printmaker active in the early seventeenth century, produced the etching titled Entry of M. de Couvonge and M. de Chalabre in 1627. Executed on laid paper, the work presents a densely populated, chaotic procession in which riders mount fantastical, half‑animal creatures, while a dragon‑like beast emits flames at the centre of the composition.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts an imagined arrival of two gentlemen, suggested by the title, yet the surrounding tumult of hybrid beasts and fiery spectacle indicates a narrative beyond a literal ceremony. The inclusion of onlookers perched on a rocky outcrop adds a voyeuristic element, inviting viewers to contemplate the boundary between reality and allegorical fantasy.

Technique & Style

Callot employed the etching process, incising lines into a metal plate before printing onto laid paper. The image is rendered with a dense, scratchy line quality, creating a dark, atmospheric effect that emphasizes movement and disorder. The intricate detailing of both figures and monstrous creatures reflects Callot’s meticulous approach to printmaking.

History & Provenance

Created during Callot’s prolific period, when he produced more than 1,400 etchings, the work forms part of his broader documentation of contemporary military, religious, and courtly subjects. It exemplifies his contribution to early modern print culture and remains a representative example of his baroque sensibility.

Entry of M. de Couvonge and M. de Chalabre [extra plate], Jacques Callot

Artist & collection

Artist

Jacques Callot

Jacques Callot (French: ; c. 1592 – 1635) was a baroque printmaker and draftsman from the Duchy of Lorraine. He is an important person in the development of the old master print. He made more than 1,400 etchings that…