57 - CALLOT, Jacques. The Misery and Misfortunes of War.

CALLOT, Jacques. The Misery and Misfortunes of War. An essential masterpiece by the great master from Lorraine, this legendary series of 18 prints depicting the ravages of war is a must-have for any collector of prints from the Grand Siècle. Paris, Israël [Henriet], 1633. In-8, unmarked, fawn half-basane, smooth spine with red leather title label. 19th-century binding. 18 etchings, including the engraved title page (approximately 9 x 19 cm), on laid paper, trimmed to the frame line and mounted on a separate sheet. Binding is scuffed with a few small areas of leather wear, incipient cracks at the joints, and some foxing on the leaves. Famous complete set of 18 plates, here in the second state. The title page bears the full letter and the notation “Avec Privilege du Roy” and lacks the number “1” in the lower right corner; plates 2 through 18 bear Callot’s signature. Inspired by the ravages of the Thirty Years’ War in his native Lorraine, Jacques Callot (1592–1635) broke with the traditional glorification of battles to present a chronological narrative focused on the plight of civilians and the degradation of soldiers (looting, torture, begging). The master engraver’s virtuosity shines through in his mastery of contrasts: the vigorous foregrounds are set against backgrounds of great finesse. Each plate is accompanied by quatrains by Abbé Michel de Marolles (1600–1681). These verses imbue Callot’s vision with a spiritual, moral, and universal dimension. The inking displays remarkable strength.