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The Martyrdom of Saint James Major

Jacques Callot

1634

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Religious

Dominant colour

The Martyrdom of Saint James Major is a 1634 ink by Jacques Callot, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Jacques Callot
When & what style?: 1634 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This etching shows a chaotic scene of violence and chaos. A crowd of people is running, some carrying banners, while others fall or kneel. At the center, a figure on horseback raises a sword, and above them, a saintly figure floats in the sky, holding a staff. Buildings with domes and columns loom in the background, and the whole scene is packed with tiny, frantic details. The artist used sharp lines and dramatic angles to create a sense of urgency. Notice how the sky swirls with clouds and the figures are twisted in motion—this wasn’t painted but etched into the paper, making every line feel urgent. Look up etching to see how artists like Callot carved images into metal plates.