Jacques Callot. Two plates (nos. 12 and 14) from Balli di Sfessania (Dance of Sfessania) / Etching, c. 1622.

Artist/engraver: Jacques Callot (French, 1592–1635)
Portfolio/Suite: Balli di Sfessania (set of 24 plates)
Place/Date: Italy, c. 1622
Medium: Etching; black ink; brown laid paper
State: State iii/iii: with titles (letters) below and the number at lower right

Plate no. 12 (L. 390)
– Dimensions: Platemark 93 × 72 mm; sheet 112 × 90 mm
– Printed inscriptions: Below image, left “Scapino.”; right “Cap: Zerbino”; lower right “12”.
– Watermark: Capital letter D
– Description: Two full-length masked figures face one another in a landscape—Scapino at left gesturing, Captain Zerbino at right in plumed hat and buttoned coat; a troupe of dancers and musicians animates the background.

Plate no. 14 (L. 392)
– Dimensions: Platemark 92 × 71 mm; sheet 112 × 93 mm
– Printed inscriptions: Below image, left “Cap: Sgangarato.”; right “Cap: Cocodrillo”; lower right “14”.
– Watermark: Not observed
– Description: Two leaping, near-nude captains with exaggerated beaked masks and streaming plumes perform in an open setting; small background groups continue the dance near a wind-bent tree.

Catalogue raisonné: Lieure II, 390 and 392 (series 379–402; Meaume 641–664).

Reference: Toledo Museum of Art no. 1982.85A-X: Balli di Sfessania (Dance of Sfessania) (set of 24 plates).