Jacques Callot (after), The Temple of Solomon, engraving 1620

Jacques Callot : Born in Nancy in 1592, Jacques Callot is a lorraine draughtsman and engraver. He is famous for his etching series "Les Grandes Misères de la guerre" (The Great Miseries of War), evoking the ravages of The Thirty Years' War in Europe. He is considered as one of the Masters of etching. The artist illustrated historical, religious subjects, and also, parties, fairs and picturesque characters. His style is characterized by the clearness of the line and the depth of the inking, which allows to preserve a perfect readability to his etchings, despite the the abundance of scenes and characters, on a restrained surface. Callot is also the inventor of many innovations allowing the full developement of this art, particularly the use of «Hard varnish».