Il Solimano, Act II

Il Solimano, Act II

Jacques Callot

1620

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This print shows a grand stage set with tall, empty buildings and classical columns. Crowds of people in fancy clothes stand in groups, some holding props like torches or banners. The scene looks like a play or ceremony, with a few figures in the center dressed differently—maybe royalty or actors. The background buildings have statues on pedestals, and the whole setup feels like a mix of real and imagined places. The labels under the figures (*Rus.*, *Sol.*, *Reg.*, *Nut.*) hint at characters or roles, but it’s unclear who they represent. Next, check out how etching works to see how artists like Callot made these sharp, detailed prints.

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