Jacques Callot, Les caprices, XVIIème siècle

This engraving is part of a series of 50 etchings. It includes 48 caprices, a frontispiece and a dedication to lorenzo de' medici, brother of cosimo II de' medici. This is a first state (unnumbered engraving). It dates from 1617. It depicts two dancers, probably those seen in florence. It is entitled: "the caprices: the pants that look at each other". Dimension 1.96x; l: 2.75 inches. 10.23 X 7.87 inches with frame. Jacques callot was a draughtsman and engraver from lorraine of the seventeenth century. He is considered one of the masters of etching. His engravings are characterized by great sharpness and also deep inking. The scenes depicted are very abundant on rather small surfaces. He began an apprenticeship in rome in 1609. There he joined his friend israël henriet. There he met artists such as antonio tempesta, an aquafortist. He entered the studio of philippe thomassin, who taught him the technique of chisel engraving. At the end of 1611, he joined florence and received the protectorate of the medici. He made 15 of the 29 plates entrusted to antonio tempesta, where he experimented with etching. He then became the engraver of the festivities organized at the uffizi palace. From 1621, he returned to lorraine. He then published picturesque series based on his memories of italy, the bali and the gobbi. He also directed a series entitled les mendiants. He also began work on a series of 490 plates constituting the book of saints, published after his death. During this period, he also directed a sequel entitled les bohémiens, as well as les supplices. His main work remains a series of eighteen engravings entitled les misères et les malheurs de la guerre. This work deals with the devastation caused by the thirty years' war (1618-1648).