Frontispiece for Callot's "The New Testament"

Art Historical Context

Step into the refined world of 17th French printmaking with Abraham Bosse's *Frontispiece for Call's "The New Testament (1635), a delicate etching now housed in the National Gallery Art's Print Department (CG-E). As a frontispiece, this image served as the grand introductory illustration for Jacques Callot's renowned series of religious prints depicting scenes from the New Testament. Bosse, a master etcher and influential theorist on the technique, captured the essence of Callot's dramatic Baroque style, blending intricate line work with symbolic religious imagery to set a reverent tone for the biblical narrative. Created during France's Louis XIII era amid the Counter-Reformation's emphasis on visual piety, Bosse's etching exemplifies the rising prestige of prints as affordable art forms. His precise etching process—using acid to bite into a metal plate—allowed for fine details and tonal subtlety, revolutionizing reproductive printmaking. Bosse's admiration for Callot, a pivotal etcher known for his theatrical compositions, shines through, making this work a testament to artistic collaboration and technical innovation. Generously gifted by Addie Burr Clark, this piece highlights etching's role in disseminating sacred stories to a wider audience, bridging elite patronage with popular devotion. A captivating glimpse into Baroque devotion and print mastery! (198 words)

About the Artist

Abraham Bosse · 1602–1676

Abraham Bosse (1604–1676) was a French printmaker and theorist whose approximately 1,600 etchings provide an unparalleled visual record of 17th-century French life. Born to Huguenot parents in Tours, he trained in Paris under Melchior Tavernier and became a devoted follower of Jacques Callot's technical innovations. Bosse's meticulous etchings depicted subjects ranging from daily life and fashion ...