Jacques Callot (1592–1635) – Set Of Five Small Engravings – 17th Century
Artist: Jacques Callot
Jacques Callot (1592–1635)
Scenes of Arms and Knight
17th-century engravings (circa 1650–1700)
Etching on paper
19th-century decorative composition
Frame dimensions: 46×37 cm
Condition: foxing, fresh engravings; 19th-century giltwood and stucco frame in good condition A fine set of five small etchings, from early 17th-century editions and grouped together in a decorative mount created in the 19th century.
The four lower vignettes depict duelists in arms, equipped with rapiers and shields, captured in various offensive and defensive poses. The upper vignette shows a knight in armor on his mount, accompanied by an inscription in Old French: "Cecy est la figure d'un chevalier ancien" (This is the figure of an ancient knight), a phrase characteristic of printed captions from the second half of the 17th century. The line is lively, precise, and energetic, with a marked taste for theatrical poses and the tension of the limbs: the entire graphic vocabulary that made Jacques Callot famous is fully recognizable here. We find that refined stylization of silhouettes, that sense of staging bodies, and that quality of line that define the school of this Lorraine master. These small prints belong to the vast family of military engravings and scenes of arms which, from the 1620s onward, spread widely throughout Europe.
Callot's works served as models for numerous series depicting soldiers, duelists, mercenaries, cavalrymen, and grotesque figures. The examples gathered here are typical of these prints, distributed as individual sheets or in small booklets. In the 19th century, these engravings were frequently cut out and reused to create compositions for collectors' cabinets.
The mount presented, with its lines enhanced by a green-bronze decoration, testifies to the historicizing taste characteristic of the second half of the 19th century.
The work of Jacques Callot profoundly marked the history of European engraving. His influence extended far beyond his workshop. The scenes of arms are part of this tradition: they combine documentary precision, movement, and the immediately recognizable style of the Lorraine master and his school.
Authentic 17th-century engravings.
Highly decorative subject: knight + duelists.
Coherent and legible set.
Beautifully crafted 19th-century mount.
Ideal for a collector's cabinet, a library, or a collection on chivalry and early engravings.
Jacques Callot (1592–1635) is one of the greatest European engravers of the 17th century, born in Nancy in the service of the Dukes of Lorraine. After early training in Rome and then Florence under the Medici, he perfected an etching technique of unparalleled finesse. Callot revolutionized engraving with his energetic lines, teeming compositions, and mastery of perspective. He created celebrated series such as The Gypsies, The Beggars, The Miseries of War, The Caprices, as well as his military and chivalric series. His slender figures, theatrical poses, and attention to detail made him a model for all of Europe. His influence was immense, even reaching Rembrandt. Dying prematurely at the age of 43, Callot left behind a prolific body of work, characterized by exceptional technical virtuosity and graphic invention.
Scenes of Arms and Knight
17th-century engravings (circa 1650–1700)
Etching on paper
19th-century decorative composition
Frame dimensions: 46×37 cm
Condition: foxing, fresh engravings; 19th-century giltwood and stucco frame in good condition A fine set of five small etchings, from early 17th-century editions and grouped together in a decorative mount created in the 19th century.
The four lower vignettes depict duelists in arms, equipped with rapiers and shields, captured in various offensive and defensive poses. The upper vignette shows a knight in armor on his mount, accompanied by an inscription in Old French: "Cecy est la figure d'un chevalier ancien" (This is the figure of an ancient knight), a phrase characteristic of printed captions from the second half of the 17th century. The line is lively, precise, and energetic, with a marked taste for theatrical poses and the tension of the limbs: the entire graphic vocabulary that made Jacques Callot famous is fully recognizable here. We find that refined stylization of silhouettes, that sense of staging bodies, and that quality of line that define the school of this Lorraine master. These small prints belong to the vast family of military engravings and scenes of arms which, from the 1620s onward, spread widely throughout Europe.
Callot's works served as models for numerous series depicting soldiers, duelists, mercenaries, cavalrymen, and grotesque figures. The examples gathered here are typical of these prints, distributed as individual sheets or in small booklets. In the 19th century, these engravings were frequently cut out and reused to create compositions for collectors' cabinets.
The mount presented, with its lines enhanced by a green-bronze decoration, testifies to the historicizing taste characteristic of the second half of the 19th century.
The work of Jacques Callot profoundly marked the history of European engraving. His influence extended far beyond his workshop. The scenes of arms are part of this tradition: they combine documentary precision, movement, and the immediately recognizable style of the Lorraine master and his school.
Authentic 17th-century engravings.
Highly decorative subject: knight + duelists.
Coherent and legible set.
Beautifully crafted 19th-century mount.
Ideal for a collector's cabinet, a library, or a collection on chivalry and early engravings.
Jacques Callot (1592–1635) is one of the greatest European engravers of the 17th century, born in Nancy in the service of the Dukes of Lorraine. After early training in Rome and then Florence under the Medici, he perfected an etching technique of unparalleled finesse. Callot revolutionized engraving with his energetic lines, teeming compositions, and mastery of perspective. He created celebrated series such as The Gypsies, The Beggars, The Miseries of War, The Caprices, as well as his military and chivalric series. His slender figures, theatrical poses, and attention to detail made him a model for all of Europe. His influence was immense, even reaching Rembrandt. Dying prematurely at the age of 43, Callot left behind a prolific body of work, characterized by exceptional technical virtuosity and graphic invention.
210 €
Period: 17th century
Style: Renaissance, Louis 13th
Condition: Good condition
Width: 37
Height: 46
Reference (ID): 1667612
Availability: In stock
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