Jacques Callot, The Little Trellis, Etching, Mid-17th Century

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Etching on laid paper printed after Jacques Callot in the mid-17th Century. Image dimension: 8.1x16.4 cm.; Matted dimension: 40x60 cm. … Read more Etching on laid paper printed after Jacques Callot in the mid-17th Century. Image dimension: 8.1x16.4 cm.; Matted dimension: 40x60 cm. Signed in plate lower right: Callot in et fe cum privil Regis Inscribed below image: La dernière planche gravée par defunt Callot, à laquelle l’eau forte n’a esté donnée qu’après sa mort This fine etching occupies a special place in the oeuvre of Jacques Callot — one of the most celebrated printmakers of the 17th century. The composition depicts a lively rustic tavern scene: peasants gather under a vine-covered trellis outside an inn, engaged in animated conversation and feasting. In the foreground, figures tend to animals and barrels, while the architecture and landscape are rendered with Callot’s characteristic precision and rhythmic linearity. The inscription along the lower margin notes that this was “the last plate engraved by the late Callot,” the biting of the plate (the acid process) having been completed only after his death. As such, it represents both a culmination of his artistic mastery and a poignant testament to his enduring influence on the art of etching. Executed with extraordinary finesse, this work exemplifies Callot’s innovative use of the échoppe, a rounded etching needle that allowed him to modulate line weight with unprecedented subtlety. The result is a composition that balances narrative vitality with meticulous detail — qualities that deeply influenced later masters from Rembrandt to Piranesi. The specimen is a superb, clear impression with fine contrasts; wide margins; minor age toning consistent with age. Ref. Lieure 1428 This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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