The Virgin

Jacques Callot

1631

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Religious

About this work

This etching shows a robed woman kneeling in prayer, her hands clasped. A halo of light glows behind her head, and her long sleeves and hood frame her face. In the background, a small scene unfolds: a group of people gathers near a building, while others ride horses along a path. The artist used fine lines to create texture, especially in her clothing folds. This kind of detailed linework is typical of etchings, where ink is pushed into a metal plate. Try looking up etching to see how this technique works.