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The Martyrdom of Saint Thaddeus

Jacques Callot

1634

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Religious

Dominant colour

The Martyrdom of Saint Thaddeus 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 people gathered around a building with arched windows. A group is fighting near the entrance, while a figure in robes kneels on the ground. Above them, another person floats in the air, holding a cross. The sky is filled with swirling clouds, and the whole scene looks dramatic and crowded. The artist used sharp lines to show movement and emotion, which was common in etchings of this time. Notice how the figures are all tangled together—this makes the scene feel urgent and intense. If you like this style, look up etching to see how artists used acid and needles to create these detailed prints.