The Visitation of St. Elizabeth, from The Life of the Virgin
n.d.
Medium
Etching on paper
Dimensions
Image: 6 × 4.3 cm (2 3/8 × 1 3/4 in.); Plate: 6.5 × 4.4 cm (2 9/16 × 1 3/4 in.); Sheet: 6.8 × 4.6 cm (2 11/16 × 1 13/16 in.)
Classification
etching
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
80785
Art Historical Context
Jacques Callot's *The Visitation of St Elizabeth, from The Life of the Virgin* captures a pivotal biblical moment: the Virgin Mary's joyful visit to her cousin Elizabeth, who carries John the Baptist. This intimate etching, undated but emblematic of Callot's 17th mastery, depicts the holy encounter with delicate figures in flowing robes, set against a simple architectural backdrop. Measuring just 6 × 4.3 cm, its miniature scale invites close contemplation, much like a devotional object carried by the faithful. As part of Callot's renowned series *The Life of the Virgin*, this print reflects t...
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...