Man Washing a Pearl
1628
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Artist
Jacques Callot
Jacques Callot was a baroque printmaker and draftsman from the Duchy of Lorraine.
See the richer artist page1628
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Man Washing a Pearl is a 1628 ink by Jacques Callot, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows a man standing by the water, holding a round dish with something in it. He’s wearing a loose hat and a short tunic, and his legs are bare. Behind him, a small boat floats on calm waves, and a distant city with towers sits on a hill. The dish looks like it might hold a pearl, which was often a symbol for something precious. The artist used sharp lines to create the whole scene, making it look like a story rather than just a picture. Next, check out the technique: etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
Jacques Callot was a baroque printmaker and draftsman from the Duchy of Lorraine.
See the richer artist page
![Christ Walking on the Water [second plate]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/2069f3bfe4cb2126/thumb.webp)