The Bohemians: The Bohemians Marching: The Rear Guard

1623

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

The Bohemians: The Bohemians Marching: The Rear Guard is a 1623 by Jacques Callot, a Baroque work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Jacques Callot
When & what style?: 1623 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

You see a group of people walking together in this painting. They are dressed in simple clothes and look like they are traveling. This painting is interesting because it shows a common sight from the 17th century. The artist drew inspiration from people he saw on his travels. Look up Jacques Callot to learn more about the artist who created this scene.

The story of this work

Overview

Jacques Callot, a masterful draftsman, spent the greater part of his life at the ducal courts of Tuscany and Lorraine, where he produced prints to record festivals and theatrical performances. He also executed religious subjects and scenes reflecting many aspects of daily life including war, pervasive in 17th-century Europe. When returning to France from Italy, Callot probably saw bands of rootless men, women, and children-a common sight-which became the subject of The Bohemians. He conceived of these four prints as a long frieze; the lines in each of the sheets extend into the sheet that…

Read the full account in the museum source.