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The Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence

Jacques Callot

1626

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Baroque Religious

Dominant colour

The Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence is a 1626 ink by Jacques Callot, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Jacques Callot
When & what style?: 1626 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This etching shows a chaotic scene with a crowd of people around a fire. In the center, a man lies on a grill, his body twisted in pain. Around him, soldiers push and watch, while others look away or react with shock. The background has tall buildings and a dome, but the focus is on the suffering figure and the dark, smoky air. The artist used sharp lines to show both the crowd’s movement and the victim’s agony. Notice how the flames and shadows create a sense of heat and struggle—this wasn’t just a story, but a dramatic moment meant to grip the viewer. If you like this style, look up etching to see how artists use ink and metal plates to create such intense prints.