Artwork
The Second Naval Battle
The Second Naval Battle is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1614 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1614, The Second Naval Battle is an engraving on laid paper by Jacques Callot, a French printmaker active in the early seventeenth century. The work belongs to the history‑painting tradition, portraying a violent sea clash between warships. Its composition is densely packed with figures, vessels, and debris, conveying the turmoil of naval warfare.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures a chaotic maritime encounter: vessels collide, masts splinter, and smoke billows as cannons discharge. Callot’s focus on the tangled rigging, wounded sailors, and shattered hulls emphasizes the brutal reality of combat rather than glorifying heroism, offering a documentary glimpse into early modern naval conflict.
Technique & Style
Executed entirely in black line, the engraving relies on fine hatching and cross‑hatching to model depth and texture. The use of laid paper provides a subtle tooth that enhances the intricate details of rope, wood, and water. Callot’s characteristic precision and sharp linearity reflect the early‑1600s printmaking aesthetic, where line alone conveyed drama.
History & Provenance
Jacques Callot, originally from the Duchy of Lorraine, produced over fourteen hundred prints during his career, many documenting military subjects.
Jacques Callot, originally from the Duchy of Lorraine, produced over fourteen hundred prints during his career, many documenting military subjects. The Second Naval Battle is a later restrike of an earlier plate, indicating continued interest in the image after its initial issue. The work resides in several public collections, illustrating its enduring relevance to scholars of Baroque print culture.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jacques Callot (French: ; c. 1592 – 1635) was a baroque printmaker and draftsman from the Duchy of Lorraine. He is an important person in the development of the old master print. He made more than 1,400 etchings that…
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