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The Second Naval Battle

Jacques Callot

1614

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque History Painting

Dominant colour

The Second Naval Battle 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 shows a chaotic sea battle with ships crashing into each other. Smoke and splintered wood fill the air as cannons fire and waves crash around the wreckage. The artist used only black lines to create deep shadows and texture, making the chaos feel even more dramatic. The tiny details—like the tangled ropes or the struggling sailors—show how much effort went into capturing the violence. This style was common in the early 1600s, where artists used sharp lines to tell intense stories. Next, check out engraving to see how artists like Callot made these striking prints.