Rare-Antique Master Print-CARRIERE-NANCY-Callot-1626

Description

“The Carriere of Nancy” The carriere is described as the “new street” where public festivals were staged; it was situated in close proximity to the Ducal Palace. As inscribed in the banderole (scroll) at the top of the composition, it is indicated that it was the site where jousting, tournaments, and other forms of recreation took place. The present theme may well be the pre-Lental carnival. Callot depicts in the foreground, from left to right: acrobats balancing on a horse tethered on a cart; a charlatan “devil” impersonator on stilts throwing coins from his right hand and dangling, different pawned objects at the end of a cord; held in his left hand; actors from the Italian comedy troupe; two men fencing; a rearing horse; a troop of cavaliers followed by a chariot bearing a blind-folded cupid, drawn by two centaurs. In the middleground a jousting tournament and mock combat can be observed; carriages and sleighs bearing spectators.

Made by Jacques Callot after own design.

Medium: Etching on hand laid (verge) paper.

Sheet size: 50.8 x 16.2 cm (20 x 6.38 inch). Image size: 51.4 x 17.3 cm. (20.24 x 6.81 inch).

Condition: fair, given age. Heavely soiled, with multiple tears and some paper loss. All restored and backed. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.

CARRIERE-NANCY | EXPO-FRENCH

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Source: unknown, to be determined.

Reference: Lieure 1927 / Jacques Callot (589.1); Meaume (621.1).

Biography engraver: Jacques Callot (c.1592-1635) was a baroque printmaker and draftsman from the Duchy of Lorraine (an independent state on the north-eastern border of France, southwestern border of Germany and overlapping the southern Netherlands). He is an important person in the development of the old master print. He made more than 1,400 etchings that chronicled the life of his period, featuring soldiers, clowns, drunkards, Romani, beggars, as well as court life. He also etched many religious and military images, and many prints featured extensive landscapes in their background.