Artwork
Peasant Whipping his Donkey
Peasant Whipping his Donkey is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1628 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1628 by the French baroque printmaker Jacques Callot, this work is an etching executed on laid paper. It forms part of Callot’s prolific output, which includes more than a thousand prints that document everyday scenes from the early seventeenth century. The image captures a moment of rural labor, rendered in the artist’s characteristic linear clarity.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a peasant, dressed in period attire, striking a donkey that trudges through shallow water while bearing heavy sacks. The man wields a long pole, emphasizing the tension between human authority and animal endurance. The scene offers a straightforward glimpse into the hardships of agrarian life, reflecting Callot’s interest in portraying a range of social roles.
Technique & Style
Callot employed the traditional etching process, incising a copper plate with acid to produce fine, continuous lines that were then transferred to paper. The drawing relies on economical line work to suggest movement and weight, with minimal shading. The use of laid paper provides a subtle texture that complements the crispness of the etched marks.
History & Provenance
The print belongs to the early phase of Callot’s career, when he was establishing his reputation for detailed genre scenes. It has been catalogued among his numerous depictions of soldiers, beggars, and rural figures, illustrating his systematic approach to recording contemporary customs. The work remains in the public domain, appearing in several museum collections and scholarly references.
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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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