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The Hiring of the Troops

Jacques Callot

1614

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Allegory

Dominant colour

The Hiring of the Troops is a 1614 ink by Jacques Callot, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Jacques Callot
When & what style?: 1614 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving depicts a scene of men gathered around a table, with one man sitting and another standing, as if conducting a transaction. The men are dressed in attire from the 17th century, and some are armed with swords and spears. In the background, a large crowd of people can be seen, some of whom are also armed. The engraving is rendered in fine detail, with intricate cross-hatching used to create texture and depth. The scene is set against a plain background, which helps to focus attention on the figures in the foreground. The level of detail and realism in this engraving is characteristic of the Baroque style, which emphasized dramatic lighting and intense emotions. To learn more about this style, look up the Baroque movement.