Jacques Callot. Two plates from La Grande Passion (The Large Passion) / Etching, c. 1619–24.

Artist/Etcher: Jacques Callot (French, 1592–1635)
Series: La Grande Passion (The Large Passion)
Date: c.1619–24
Media/Technique: Etching; black ink on browned laid paper
State: First state (of 3)
References: Lieure, L’Œuvre gravé de Jacques Callot, nos. 281–287 (complete suite of seven); vol. I, pp. 113-117 [LIB-3253.2023]; present plates: L.285, L.286.

Plate 1 (L. 285) — La Présentation au Peuple (The Presentation of Christ to the People)
Dimensions: Platemark 110 × 212 mm; sheet 170 × 274 mm
Inscriptions: signature within plate (lower left): “Callot F.”; bottom centre: “Purpurea quid opus veste? heu! num cernis ut illi | Omnia purpureo membra cruore rubent?”
Translation: “What need is there of a purple robe? Alas! Do you not see how all his limbs are already reddened with purple (crimson) blood?”
Watermark: lion with star; Lieure (L. 285) records a “double C” watermark for this plate (nos. 29 & 30); the present impression bears “le lion à l’étoile” (lion with star)—also a documented Callot paper (Lieure, vol. III, p. 113, nos. 38–39).
Description: Interior court thronged with figures; a bishop at right addresses the crowd while soldiers raise a tall cross at centre; Christ is shown on the dais before a great portal; dense hatch-work defines the architectural setting.

Plate 2 (L. 286) — Le Portement de Croix (Christ Carrying the Cross)
Dimensions: Platemark 115 × 215 mm; sheet 174 × 270 mm
Inscriptions: signature within plate (lower left): “Callot In. et Fe.”; bottom centre: “Quid Simon huic … | Ille potest tanta pondera ferre crucis”
Translation: “Why, Simon, do you try to take up this burden? He alone can bear so great a weight of the Cross.”
Description: A vast procession moves toward Calvary; Christ collapses beneath the cross amid soldiers with lances; women kneel and lament at right; the hill beyond is animated with groups climbing toward the three crosses.

Catalogue Raisonné: Lieure (1927) vol. I, p. 115, no. 285 (La Présentation au Peuple); and p. 116, no. 286 (Le Portement de Croix).

Plate 1 (L. 285) — La Présentation au Peuple	Plate 2 (L. 286) — Le Portement de Croix