Jacques Callot’s etching “View of the Pont-Neuf”, c1630 and copy

Jacques Callot (1592–1635)

(upper) “View of the Pont-Neuf”, c1630, etching with plate tone on laid paper with margins and (flattened) folds as published. Size: (sheet) 25.1 x 38.8 cm; (plate) 16.2 x 33.8 cm; (image borderline) 15.8 x 33.4 cm. Inscribed in plate within the image borderline: (lower right) “Callot fec.” State v (of v) with the vertical scratch below the hanging bucket. This impression was printed from the original plate and published in Philip Gilbert Hamerton’s “Etching and Etchers”, 1868.

(lower) copy by an unidentified etcher, “View of the Pont-Neuf with the Tour de Nesle”, c1630, after Jacques Callot, published by Israël Henriet (c1590–1661) (as inscribed in plate; see Jules Lieure [1989] copy no. 5, [text vol.] p. 28). Etching on laid paper, trimmed with a small margin around the image borderline (and writing edge) and backed with a support sheet. Size: (sheet) 17.3 x 34 cm; (image borderline) 15.6 x 33 cm. Inscribed in plate below the image borderline: (left) “Jac Callot sculp 1629.”; (centre) “Vue du Pont-neuf, avec la Tour de Nesle.”; (right) “Israel exc. Parisijs”.

The British Museum holds the original chalk drawing upon which this print is based (see https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1861-0713-2) and offers the following description of this print: “A view of Paris, with water joust taking place on a river at the bottom of a high tower (tour de Nesle) standing at centre in the foreground; bridge (Pont-Neuf) in the background, at left. c.1630 Etching” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1861-0713-956).

The Curator of the British Museum offers the following insights regarding this print: “The present plate was made after a drawing probably executed during the artist's stay in Paris in 1629, and representing the annual water joust that was taking place on the Seine every 25 August” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1861-0713-955).

Condition: both prints are excellent impressions with no tears, holes, abrasions, significant stains or foxing. The lower etching is trimmed with a narrow margin around the image borderline and writing edge and is laid onto a support sheet of archival (millennium quality) washi paper.

I am selling this pair of etchings showing the second of Callot’s large views of Paris offering an interesting comparison between Callot’s original print and a very fine—perhaps even deceptive—copy published by Callot’s friend, Israël Henriet (as inscribed on the plate) for AU$468 in total for the pair (currently US$314.14/EUR293.85/GBP260.85 at the time of posting this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this marvellous pair of etchings, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This pair of prints has been sold