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Jacques Callot died in 1635 before he could finish his Nouveau Testament. His publisher, Israël Henriet, responded with what may be one of the more startlingly candid title pages in seventeenth-century printmaking.
Commissioned from Callot\'s friend and fellow printmaker Abraham Bosse (1602–1676), the tiny frontispiece announces within an elaborate Baroque cartouche:
Nouveau Testament faict par Iacques Callot qui na sceu finir le reste prevenu de la mort, l\'année 1635.
Or, essentially: New Testament made by Jacques Callot, who was unable to finish the remainder, having been overtaken by death, in the year 1635.
No euphemism. The artist died. The work was unfinished. Here is what remained.
Henriet published Callot\'s surviving New Testament plates and commissioned Bosse to create this frontispiece for the series. Catalogued as Meaume 37, the frontispiece is known in a single state.
The design is remarkably elaborate for a print scarcely three inches wide: a winged cherub crowns an architectural cartouche surrounded by curling ornament, with crosses emerging dramatically to either side. Beneath the central inscription, a second cartouche identifies the publisher: “A PARIS / Israel Henriet ex. / Cum Priuil. Reg.”
This is a strong, crisp impression with remarkably fine crosshatching and linework still visible throughout the ornament.
The print retains its older presentation from Davidson Galleries of Seattle, whose verso label identifies Abraham Bosse, the 1635 date, Israël Henriet as publisher, and reference M.37. The original Davidson label remains with the piece.
Details
Title: Frontispiece for Le Nouveau Testament
Artist: Abraham Bosse (French, 1602–1676)
Associated Artist: Jacques Callot (French, 1592–1635)
Publisher: Israël Henriet
Place: Paris
Date: 1635
Medium: Etching on paper
Catalogue Raisonné: Meaume 37
State: Unique state
Series: Le Nouveau Testament
Print Dimensions: Approximately 2⅜ × 3⁵⁄₁₆ inches
Mount Dimensions: Approximately 12 × 10 inches
Provenance: Davidson Galleries, Seattle, Washington; original dealer label retained
Condition
Very good antique condition with a strong, crisp impression and finely preserved linework. Sheet is closely trimmed and attached to the older presentation mount by tabs. Minor age-related toning and handling wear are present. Verso is blank. Davidson Galleries label remains affixed to the verso of the mount. Please review photographs for full condition.
Subject
Jacques Callot; New Testament; biblical illustration; memorial print; title page; Baroque ornament; seventeenth-century publishing.
Topic
Abraham Bosse; Jacques Callot; Israël Henriet; French Old Master prints; 17th-century etching; Meaume 37; Le Nouveau Testament; French printmaking.
Category: Fine Prints & Engravings
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