Princes & Paupers: The Art of Jacques Callot January 31–May 12, 2013
Jacques Callot, The Market in the Piazza Annunziata at Florence, from The Caprices, 1617, etching, Saint Louis Art Museum, gift of Henry V. Putzel. (Photo courtesy Saint Louis Art Museum)
Jacques Callot, The Masked Lady, etching, Albert Feldmann Collection.
Jacques Callot, L’eventail (The Fan), 1620, etching with engraving, Albert A. Feldmann Collection.
Jacques Callot, Les Gueux: l’aveugle et son chien (The Beggars: Blind Man and His Dog), etching, Albert A. Feldmann Collection.
Jacques Callot, La Grande Chasse (The Stag Hunt), 1619, etching on laid paper, the MFAH, gift of Meredith J. Long in honor of Fayez Sarofim at “One Great Night in November, 1991.”
Jacques Callot, Le Bohémiens en marche: l’arrière-garde (The Gypsies Marching: The Rear Guard), c. 1620–29, etching with engraving, Albert A. Feldmann Collection.
Jacques Callot, Varie figure: Frontispice (Various Figures: Frontispiece), 1617–20s, etching, Albert A. Feldmann Collection.
Jacques Callot, one of the most accomplished printmakers of the 17th century, revolutionized the technique of etching. Princes & Paupers focuses on two poles of Callot’s work: his aristocratic commissions, and his images of the marginalized and impoverished.
An international artist active in both France and Italy, Callot (1592–1635) was a consummate draftsman. His careful observations never fail to amaze viewers. Callot created more than 1,400 prints that reveal his fascination with a broad range of subjects, from the miseries of war to aristocratic pageantry; from saints to beggars; from biblical narratives and theatrical comedies to Gypsies and dwarfs. His prints often developed into series that explore a narrative or variations on a theme. Callot’s etchings, which are consistently imaginative, inventive, and witty, open a window through which to better understand 17th-century Europe.
Exhibition Catalogue
Princes & Paupers: The Art of Jacques Callot is accompanied by an illustrated catalogue, available through The MFAH Shop at 713.639.7360.
This exhibition is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
Generous funding is provided by:
The Rand Group
International Fine Print Dealers Association Foundation