Jacques Callot (1592-1635), Balli di Sfessania, ca. 1622

Etching, paper; dimensions in st. pp. of each print: 70 x 94 mm. Title engraving described: BALLI DI STESSANIA di Jacomo Callot"

20 of 24 engravings depicting actors in costume performing dell'arte comedy. The series was created after Callot's return to Lorraine, around 1622, and reflects his fascination with the theatrical culture of Italy. The figures depicted are actors of dell'arte comedy in distinctive costumes with character names indicated. State of preservation: graphics glued on cardboard backing; some graphics acidified and stained. on one of the pp. traces of old flooding. Framed graphics; dimension of each frame counted after outer edge of frame: 62.5 x 37.5 cm. Callot's graphics in such an ensemble is a rarity on the Polish antiquarian market.