Artwork
Il Solimano, Act V
Il Solimano, Act V is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1620 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Jacques Callot’s print Il Solimano, Act V was produced in 1620. Executed with both etching and engraving on laid paper, the work measures a modest size typical of early‑17th‑century prints. It belongs to Callot’s prolific output, which exceeds a thousand images documenting a range of public and private spectacles.
Subject & Meaning
The composition portrays a turbulent urban clash, with armed combatants, fleeing civilians, and smoldering structures filling the scene. The chaotic arrangement suggests a dramatized episode from a theatrical performance or a historical episode linked to the Ottoman ruler Soliman, emphasizing the fragility of civic order amid violent upheaval.
Technique & Style
Callot combines the fluid lines of etching with the precise incisions of engraving, achieving a rich interplay of texture and depth. Fine cross‑hatching renders atmospheric smoke, while denser hatching defines architecture and armor. The use of laid paper, with its ribbed surface, enhances the tonal variation and contributes to the work’s overall dynamism.
History & Provenance
Created while Callot was active in his native Lorraine, the print was likely issued as part of a series illustrating scenes from the play Il Solimano. Early impressions circulated among collectors of the period; later, the image entered museum collections in the 19th century, where it remains a reference for Baroque printmaking.
Context
Callot’s career coincided with a surge of interest in theatrical and military subjects across Europe. His prints served both as visual records and as popular souvenirs for audiences. Il Solimano, Act V reflects the broader Baroque fascination with movement, drama, and the spectacle of conflict, situating the work within contemporary cultural currents.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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…
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Christ Walking on the Water [second plate]
