Who painted Plan of the Spelunche Regee?

Plan of the Spelunche Regee was painted by Jacques Callot in 1619.

Where can I see Plan of the Spelunche Regee?

Plan of the Spelunche Regee is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Plan of the Spelunche Regee?

Plan of the Spelunche Regee is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Plan of the Spelunche Regee?

Museum-quality prints of Plan of the Spelunche Regee are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Plan of the Spelunche Regee

Jacques Callot , 1619

Plan of the Spelunche Regee is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1619 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jacques Callot’s 1619 print, titled Plan of the Spelunche Regee, is an etching and engraving executed on laid paper. The work presents a schematic view of an underground space, rendered with a network of labeled compartments and a central chamber. Its composition combines architectural imagination with precise line work, offering a visual plan rather than a narrative scene.

Subject & Meaning

The image functions as a diagram of a cavernous complex, featuring domed and inverted‑boat‑shaped structures arranged in a grid. Small rooms are marked with letters, A for “Rota” (wheel), B for “Ingressu” (entrance), E for “sepolchro” (tomb), and a larger area is identified as “C. sala.” The labeling suggests a coded map, perhaps intended for a private or allegorical purpose.

Technique & Style

Callot employed both etching and engraving, allowing him to achieve fine, controlled lines alongside deeper, richer tones.

Callot employed both etching and engraving, allowing him to achieve fine, controlled lines alongside deeper, richer tones. The laid‑paper substrate contributes a subtle texture that enhances the delicate shading in shaded zones. The restrained palette of black and white, coupled with the artist’s characteristic precision, underscores the baroque interest in detailed observation and technical virtuosity.

History & Provenance

Created during Callot’s prolific period in which he produced more than 1,400 prints, the Plan of the Spelunche Regee reflects his fascination with architectural and topographical subjects. The surviving impression is a restrike, indicating that the plate was re‑used after its initial printing, a common practice that extended the life of Callot’s designs for collectors and patrons.

Plan of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jacques Callot

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Artist & collection

Artist

Jacques Callot

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…