Open full image Pin

The Cult of the Demon

Jacques Callot

1627

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Allegory

Dominant colour

The Cult of the Demon is a 1627 ink by Jacques Callot, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Jacques Callot
When & what style?: 1627 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This black-and-white print shows a chaotic scene with a large, horned figure at the center, surrounded by smaller people and animals. The horned figure looks fierce, with wild hair and a dramatic pose, while the crowd around it seems scared or confused. In the background, there’s a rocky landscape with trees and a bridge, adding to the sense of unease. Notice how the artist used shading and lines to create depth and drama—this was a key trick in etchings of the time. The swirling lines make the scene feel restless and intense. Try looking up etching to see how artists like Callot carved into metal plates to make prints like this.