Het wakende oog
About the work
In the museum's own words — in Dutch
Voorstelling van een omheining waarbinnen schapen grazen; ernaast ligt een waakhond en staat een oog op een stok. Boven en onder deze prent Latijnse en Franse teksten in boekdruk. Dit blad is onderdeel van de embleemserie 'Kloosterleven in emblemen'. De tweede staat van deze serie behelst naast een geïllustreerde titelpagina en 26 emblemen nog een titelpagina en een blad met opdracht, beide in boekdruk zonder afbeelding.
Rijksmuseum
Particulars
- Accession number
- RP-P-OB-4959
Meanwhile, in the life of Jacques Callot
The whole life1614–1621
At the court of Cosimo II de’ Medici
Under Parigi’s direction Callot works at the court of the Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo II de’ Medici in the Uffizi, designing festivals and theatrical performances — later these give him themes for his series of grotesque prints; during his Florentine years he becomes an independent master and often works for the Medici.
1621
Returns to Nancy after the death of Cosimo II
After the death of Grand Duke Cosimo II de’ Medici, Callot responds to Duke Charles IV of Lorraine’s wish to see him at his court and returns to Lorraine, where he is received with flattering honours; staying in Nancy, he sends his prints all over Europe, and Rembrandt becomes a keen collector of them.
1627
In the Netherlands at Infanta Isabella’s invitation
At the invitation of the Infanta Isabella Callot visits the Netherlands; views of Holland, like those of Italy and France, and characteristic portraits of soldiers, circus performers and actors are reflected in his work.
1627
Van Dyck paints his portrait in Brussels
In Brussels Callot meets Anthony van Dyck, who paints his portrait; it is later engraved by Lucas Vorsterman and enters the famous “Iconography”.
1629–1630
Declines to serve Louis XIII
King Louis XIII of France offers Callot a place at his court, but the artist declines; by one account, as a patriot of Lorraine he could not forgive the king for the devastation of his homeland by French troops.
