3747 - Jacques Callot, collection of prints

Jacques Callot, collection of prints four plates, “The Grand Duke has the port of Livorno fortified”, a scene from the life of Ferdinando I de’ Medici and two sheets from “Balli di Sfessania”, copperplate engravings, c. 1620 (some later impressions), two works inscribed on the plate “Iacopo Callot inc.”, some minor damage, image dimensions max. approx. 19.5 x 29.5 cm. Artist’s biography: prominent Lorraine draughtsman and printmaker (1592-1635, Nancy), from 1607, a brief apprenticeship as a goldsmith; 1608-12, stayed in Rome and apprenticed to the copperplate engraver Philippe Thomassin; subsequently joined the workshop of Antonio Tempestas in Florence; from 1614, worked primarily for Cosimo II de’ Medici; after the latter’s death, he returned to Nancy; due to financial difficulties, he received support from Duke Henry II of Lorraine; towards the end of the 1620s, he travelled to Paris and the Netherlands, where he received numerous commissions from various courts; inspired by his experiences during the Thirty Years’ War, he created the series ‘Les misères de la guerre’ (The Horrors of War); sources: Thieme-Becker and Wikipedia.