Callot

Callot, JACQUES, engraver, was born at Nancy in 1594, and early devoted himself to art in opposition to his father's wishes. A boy of twelve, he attached himself to a band of Gypsies, and wandered with them to Florence; thence a gentleman sent him on to Rome, where, however, some Nancy merchants recognised him, and induced him to return home. He twice revisited Italy, and the second time (about 1612) became Thomassin's pupil at Rome in drawing and engraving; afterwards he repaired to Florence, where, by numerous spirited etchings, he gained great fame, and engraved for Cosmo II., Grand-duke of Tuscany, a series of plates of court festivals, &c. On his patron's death (1621), Callot returned to Nancy, there to be favourably received by the Duke of Lorraine, and to increase his reputation by a copious series of etchings, including six plates of the siege of Breda. For Louis XIII., who invited him to Paris, he executed etchings of the siege of Rochelle; but he refused to commemorate the capture of his native town, and, declining a pension offered by the king, returned to Nancy, where he died, 28th March 1635. His activity as an artist was marvellous. His realistic engravings, some 1600 in number, are invaluable from the vivid light they cast on the manners of the 17th century. His 'Miseries of War,' a series of eighteen plates, and his 'Gypsies,' are especially celebrated. See the works on him by J. H. Green (1804), Thausing (1881), Meaume (1860), Dumast (1875), Houssaye (1875), Vachon (1886), and Bouchot (1890).