The Stopping Place

My name is Feely T. Heart, and I will be your guide today through one of our captivating prints: "The Stopping Place." Created in 1621 by the French artist Jacques Callot, this piece offers us a glimpse into everyday life in the 17th century. nn "The Stopping Place" is a black and white etching, a technique that allows for incredible detail and texture. Callot masterfully uses lines to create a bustling scene outside a rural inn. Our eyes are immediately drawn to the variety of characters populating the scene: a well-dressed woman, perhaps a noblewoman, prepares to depart on horseback, while a group of travelers and locals gather outside the inn's arched entrance. Some stand, engaged in conversation, while others sit or kneel, their postures suggesting a range of activities from begging to simply waiting. nn Callot's attention to detail is remarkable. He meticulously renders the worn textures of the inn's thatched roof, the folds of the figures' clothing, and the gnarled branches of the large tree that frames the scene. The etching's realism transports us back in time, allowing us to almost hear the murmur of conversation and the clatter of hooves on cobblestones. nn "The Stopping Place" is not only a beautifully executed artwork but also a valuable historical document. It provides us with insights into the clothing, architecture, and social dynamics of 17th-century Europe. Here at the National Gallery of Art, we are fortunate to have this piece in our collection, where it can continue to captivate and educate visitors for generations to come.