St. Alexis, July 17th, from "Les Images De Tous Les Saincts et Saintes de L'Année" (Images of All of the Saints and Religious Events of the Year)

Art Historical Context

In the intricate etching *St. Alexis, July17th*, from Jacques Callot's series * Images De Tous Les Saincts et Saintes de LAnnée* (Images of All the Saints and Religious Events of the Year published in 1636 by Israël Henriet, we encounter diminutive yet profoundly devotional portrait of the 5th-century saint. Rendered in the second state of two—a refined version with enhanced details—this tiny print (just 2½ x 1⅞ inches) captures St. Alexis, the humble beggar who renounced wealth to live in anonymity outside his parents' home for 17 years, embodying ideals of Christian poverty and piety. Part of a comprehensive calendar of saints, it served 17th-century Catholics navigating the liturgical year amid the Counter-Reformation's fervor. Jacques Callot, a master etcher of the Baroque era renowned for his meticulous technique and dramatic compositions, produced these works shortly before his death in 1635; Henriet, his esteemed publisher, brought them to light. Etching allowed Callot to achieve extraordinary fine lines and textures on a miniature scale, making such images affordable and portable for personal prayer books or altars. This piece exemplifies his "petit genre" style—small, narrative-driven prints that democratized religious art. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, acquired through the Joseph Pulitzer Bequest in 1917, *St. Alexis* highlights the cultural role of prints in fostering devotion during turbulent times, blending artistry with spiritual instruction for everyday believers.

About the Artist

Jacques Callot|Israël Henriet · 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...