
Read the visual description
This is a drawing of a battle scene with soldiers, fortifications, and ships. The composition portrays a historical military engagement with soldiers wearing armor and plumed helmets, holding muskets and spears. In the foreground, officers direct the formation and attack. A group of soldiers is organized into a formation, some kneeling and some standing with weapons aimed. A fortified wall is depicted, with soldiers using ladders and firing from the top. In the distance, several masted ships suggest a maritime aspect to the scene. The style and execution exhibit meticulous linework and shading typical of engravings from the baroque period, reflecting a focus on detail, motion, and tension.
National Gallery of Art · Print
Assault on Two Fortresses
Jacques Callot
- Date
- c. 1614
- Medium
- engraving on laid paper [restrike]
- Dimensions
- sheet: 71 × 46.5 cm (27 15/16 × 18 5/16 in.)
- Classification
- Accession number
- 1986.50.116
- Credit line
- Transferred from The Library of Congress
- Time span
- 1601 to 1650
- Department
- CG-E
Portfolio and series
- Series
- The Life of Ferdinando de' Medici
Subjects and terms
- French
- Ship
- Battle
- Costume
- Figures
- Wall
NGA object ID 67795. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.