58 - CALLOT, Jacques. *Martiryum Appostolorum*.

CALLOT, Jacques. *Martiryum Appostolorum*. The complete set of 16 plates from *The Little Apostles*, supplemented by 4 engravings from *The Little Passion*, in a full 18th-century binding with blind-stamped decoration. No place, Israel [Henriet], undated [circa 1632]. In-32, ebony morocco, ribbed spine, panels adorned with cold-stamped fleurons, cold-stamped border decoration on the covers, gilt inner roulette, endpapers and half-leaves of marbled paper, gilt roulette repeated on the edges, gilt edges. 16 etchings on laid paper (approx. 6.3 x 4.5 cm), cut out and mounted at a single point with adhesive on leaves (10 x 7 cm). Prints trimmed just inside the intaglio area, without the engraved captions in the lower margin. Normal wear on the binding; the marbled paper is oxidized at the outer margins. A rare complete set of the “Petits Apôtres.” Proofs from the second state: the engraved title bears the original typographical error characterized by the doubling of the “p” in “appostolorum”; the plate is signed “Jac. Callot In. et fecit” and bears the excudit: “Israëli.” The iconography depicts the martyrdom of the 12 historical apostles: Peter, Andrew, James the Greater, John, Thomas, James the Less, Philip, Bartholomew, Simon, Matthew, Thaddeus, as well as Judas Iscariot and the three additional apostles or successors: Saint Paul, Saint Matthias (chosen by lot to replace Judas), and Saint Barnabas. The Latin names of the apostles depicted have been noted in the lower margin of the sheets in graphite by an anonymous hand. A masterpiece of etched miniatures, this series attests to the technical virtuosity of Jacques Callot (1592–1635). The format magnifies the dramatic, precise, and teeming treatment of crowd scenes—fundamental characteristics of the Lorraine master. Callot makes the unique choice to incorporate the punishment of Judas Iscariot into the midst of the apostles’ suffering, offering a striking contrast between the traitor’s despair and the martyrs’ glory. Next, 4 of the 12 engravings from “La Petite Passion” (circa 1624, approximately 6 x 5 cm, also trimmed and mounted): Christ before Caiaphas, the Crowning with Thorns, the Carrying of the Cross, and the Crucifixion.