Who painted St. Amo Preaching in a Wood?

St. Amo Preaching in a Wood was painted by Jacques Callot in 1624.

Where can I see St. Amo Preaching in a Wood?

St. Amo Preaching in a Wood is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is St. Amo Preaching in a Wood?

St. Amo Preaching in a Wood is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

St. Amo Preaching in a Wood

Jacques Callot , 1624

St. Amo Preaching in a Wood is a print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1624 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1925.625
Credit line: Dudley P. Allen Fund

About this work

Overview

Jacques Callot’s print St. Amo Preaching in a Wood, dated to around 1624, is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work presents a densely populated woodland setting where a robed preacher addresses a varied audience gathered beneath a large tree.

Subject & Meaning

At the centre of the composition a solitary figure, identified as St. Amo, gestures as he delivers a sermon to a mixed group of listeners. The crowd includes seated and standing figures, some bearing staffs or flags, suggesting a communal gathering that blends devotion with everyday activity.

Technique & Style

Callot employs strong chiaroscuro, contrasting illuminated figures against deep shadows to emphasize the central speaker and the nearest listeners. This manipulation of light and dark not only models the forms but also guides the viewer’s eye through the crowded scene.

History & Provenance

The print was produced in the early seventeenth century, a period when Callot was renowned for his detailed etchings and engravings. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition, though the precise chain of ownership prior to the museum is not recorded in the available data.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jacques Callot

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…