Le Combat (The Combat), from Le Combat a la Barrière in the Palace at Nancy by Henri Humbert, printed by Sebastien Phillipe

Art Historical Context

**Le Combat (The Combat)**, from the series *Le Combat à Barrière* in the Palace at Nancy, is a captivating 1627 etching (sheet: 7⅞ × 12⅜ in.) by master printmaker Jacques Callot, contributions from Henri Humbert and by Sébastien Phillipe. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Drawings and Prints, this work captures the thrill of a barrier joust—a chivalric tournament where armored knights clashed along a dividing fence to prevent full charges. Created during the Baroque era, Callot's etching showcases his revolutionary technique: using multiple fine bitten lines on a copper plate to render intricate details of bustling crowds, dynamic poses, and ornate costumes in a single image. This print documents a lavish 1627 event at Nancy's palace, organized by the Duke of Lorraine, blending spectacle with courtly pomp amid Europe's turbulent Thirty Years' War backdrop. As part of Callot's renowned series, *Le Combat* highlights etching's power to freeze historical moments for wide dissemination, influencing printmaking for centuries. Visitors will appreciate its vivid energy, evoking the grandeur of 17th-century nobility. (178 words)

About the Artist

Jacques Callot|Henri Humbert · 1592–1635

Jacques Callot (1592–1635) was a French printmaker and draftsman from the Duchy of Lorraine, widely regarded as one of the first great artists to practice the graphic arts exclusively. His more than 1,400 etchings chronicled the breadth of 17th-century life, from Medici court festivities to the brutal realities of warfare. Callot revolutionized etching through technical innovations including the é...