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Peasant Defecating

Jacques Callot

1622

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque

Dominant colour

Peasant Defecating is a 1622 ink by Jacques Callot, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Jacques Callot
When & what style?: 1622 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This image shows a man crouching down in the woods, his pants down around his ankles. He's looking back over his shoulder, and his face is scrunched up in concentration. The trees and bushes around him are drawn in dark lines, and the man's clothes are loose and baggy. In the background, there's a sword lying on the ground, and a small figure is visible in the distance. The drawing is done in a simple, sketchy style, with lots of lines and shading to create depth and texture. It's a quiet, intimate moment, captured in a simple yet powerful way. The artist, Jacques Callot, was a master of etching, and this piece showcases his skill and attention to detail.