Annunciation, with angel approaching the seated Mary from the left, and the dove of the Holy Spirit above
ca. 1633–34
Medium
Etching; second state
Dimensions
sheet: 2 1/2 x 1 5/8 in. (6.4 x 4.1 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Phyllis Massar, 2011
Accession Number
2012.136.176
Tags
Art Historical Context
Jacques Callot’s intimate etching captures the sacred moment of the Annunciation, with the angel Gabriel approaching the Virgin Mary from the left while the dove of the Holy Spirit hovers above. Created around 1633–34, this small print reflects the enduring popularity of biblical narratives in 17th-century Europe, rendered here with remarkable delicacy in a format measuring just 2½ by 1⅝ inches. As an etching in its second state, the work showcases Callot’s mastery of the medium, which allowed artists to achieve fine lines and intricate details through the controlled use of acid on copper pla...
About the Artist
Jacques Callot · 1592–1635
Jacques Callot (1592–1635) was a French printmaker and draftsman from the Duchy of Lorraine, widely regarded as one of the first great artists to practice the graphic arts exclusively. His more than 1,400 etchings chronicled the breadth of 17th-century life, from Medici court festivities to the brutal realities of warfare. Callot revolutionized etching through technical innovations including the é...