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Mysteries of the Passion

Jacques Callot

1631

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Religious

Dominant colour

Mysteries of the Passion is a 1631 ink by Jacques Callot, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Jacques Callot
When & what style?: 1631 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This print shows six black-and-white scenes packed into oval frames. Each picture has lots of people in dramatic poses—some kneeling, some standing tall, others reaching upward. The backgrounds look like grand buildings or open skies, with figures dressed in flowing robes. One scene shows a crucifixion, another has a group around a table, and a third depicts a ladder with figures climbing. Notice how the lines are sharp and busy, almost like a sketch that’s been pressed into metal. The artist used shading to make the robes look heavy, while the faces stay simple and clear. If you like this style, check out etching to see how artists carve images into metal plates.