The New Testament (Le Nouveau Testament)
Jacques Callot (1592-1635), The New Testament (Le Nouveau Testament), etchings, 1635; complete set of 11 including the frontispiece. Reference: Lieure 1418-1427, the frontispiece by Bosse Meaume 37 (only state). Five of the plates are trimmed of the (blank) lower margin, and therefore of uncertain state. The remaining five plates are all first states; Lieure 1418 the very rare first state of 5, and 1419, 1420, 1423, and 1426 each first states of 2. About 2 3/4 x 3 1/4 inches. In generally very good condition, trimmed on or near the platemarks, a few stains and nicks, each archivally matted, and held in a fine custom made marble covered box.
Provenance:
GFK Parthey (Lugt 1189)
H. Haendcke (Lugt 1228a)
A very fine set of these exceedingly detailed and finely wrought compositions.
This is the last set Callot did. He surely contemplated a larger series; at his death Abraham Bosse engraved a frontispiece for ten completed etchings of the set. Additional pictures and details are of course available on request.
The titles (starting with Lieure 1418) include: Jesus Among the Doctors, Jesus Preaching on the Shore; Jesus with the Pharisees; The Sermon on the Mount; Jesus and the Adulteress; Jesus Stoned; Resurrection of Lazarus; Entry into Jerusalem; Le Dernier de Cesar; The Conversion of St. Paul.
