Fireworks on the Arno, Florence

Jacques Callot

1622

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque

About this work

This sketch shows a busy riverbank at night, packed with people watching fireworks. The river glows faintly, and the sky is dark, but the sparks light up the crowd below. In the background, buildings and a bridge stretch across the water, with a tall tree in the middle of the scene. The artist used quick, sketchy lines to show movement and excitement. The fireworks look like bursts of energy, while the people below seem caught in the moment. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this made prints.