Jacques Callot. Three plates from La Petite Passion (The Little Passion) / Etching, c. 1624–1625.

Artist: Jacques Callot (French, 1592–1635)
Title: Three plates from La Petite Passion (The Little Passion)
Date: c. 1624–1625
Media/Technique: Copperplate etching (eau-forte) on ivory laid paper
Dimensions: Each sheet approx. 80 × 60 mm; trimmed with narrow margins (c. 1 mm)
State: First state (of 2), without plate numbers in the lower margin (later state adds numbers)
References: Lieure, L’Œuvre gravé de Jacques Callot, nos. 537–548 (complete suite of twelve); vol. II, pp. 50-53 [LIB-3253.2023]; present plates: L.544, L.545, L.547.
Note: A complete set of the twelve plates from La Petite Passion (The Little Passion) is held in this collection; see [SVE-0654.2025]

Plates present in the set

L.544 — Le Couronnement d’Épines (The Crowning with Thorns)

• Inscription: J. Callot f. (engraved at left); no number.
• Description: Christ is seated beneath a Gothic arcade, a reed in his hand, while two soldiers press the crown of thorns onto his head. At right, two prisoners are bound to a pillar; in the foreground, soldiers stand guard at the prison gate. The 2nd state carries the number “8".

L.545 — La Présentation au peuple (The Presentation to the People)

• Inscription: J. Callot f. (engraved at left); no number.
• Description: Christ—haloed, holding a reed—stands on a portico bridging two buildings as he is presented to the crowd below; at lower left, a man raises a cross. The 2nd state carries the number “9”.

L.548 — Jésus est Percé d’une Lance (Jesus is Pierced with a Spear)

• Inscription: J. Callot f. (engraved at left); no number.
• Description: A soldier thrusts a spear into Christ’s side; the cross bears “INRI” and a nearby standard shows “S.P.Q.R.” The 2nd state carries the number “12”.

L.544 — The Crowning with Thorns	L.545 — The Presentation to the People	L.548 — Jesus is Pierced with a Spear