拍品专文
These candlesticks are inspired by Jacques Callot's prints called 'The Caprices: the trousers looking at each other'. It is part of the 'Capricci di varie Figure' made in Florence around 1617 which comprised 48 'caprices', a frontispiece and a dedication to Lorenzo de' Medici, brother of Cosimo II de' Medici.
Callot (1592-1635) was a 17th century draughtsman and engraver from Nancy in Lorraine. He began an apprenticeship in Rome in 1609, where he entered the workshop of Philippe Thomassin, who taught him the technique of engraving with a burin. In 1611 he moved to Florence under the protection of the Medici. He produced 15 of the 29 plates entrusted to Antonio Tempesta, where he experimented with etching. He then became the engraver for the festivities organized at the Uffizi Palace. In 1621, he returned to Nancy and published picturesque series based on his memories of Italy, the Bali and the Gobbi which included a reedition of the Caprices series.
The Louvre Museum holds the complete suite made in Florence, as well as the prints in Nancy, and a series of 18th century copies of the Florentine plates now lost. The surviving drawings are few in number (T. 17 to 24). These were acquired by James Mayer de Rothschild in 1856 and gifted to the Louvre by Edmond James de Rothschild in 1935 (L 45 LR).
The enduring popularity of these etchings made them an ideal iconographic source for goldsmiths and it is possible that these candlesticks were commissioned by the family to complete the series.
An identical set of four candlesticks was sold by Gros Delettrez in Paris, 2 December 2016, lot 307.
Callot (1592-1635) was a 17th century draughtsman and engraver from Nancy in Lorraine. He began an apprenticeship in Rome in 1609, where he entered the workshop of Philippe Thomassin, who taught him the technique of engraving with a burin. In 1611 he moved to Florence under the protection of the Medici. He produced 15 of the 29 plates entrusted to Antonio Tempesta, where he experimented with etching. He then became the engraver for the festivities organized at the Uffizi Palace. In 1621, he returned to Nancy and published picturesque series based on his memories of Italy, the Bali and the Gobbi which included a reedition of the Caprices series.
The Louvre Museum holds the complete suite made in Florence, as well as the prints in Nancy, and a series of 18th century copies of the Florentine plates now lost. The surviving drawings are few in number (T. 17 to 24). These were acquired by James Mayer de Rothschild in 1856 and gifted to the Louvre by Edmond James de Rothschild in 1935 (L 45 LR).
The enduring popularity of these etchings made them an ideal iconographic source for goldsmiths and it is possible that these candlesticks were commissioned by the family to complete the series.
An identical set of four candlesticks was sold by Gros Delettrez in Paris, 2 December 2016, lot 307.