Combat à la Barriere, faict en Cour de Lorraine le 14 Febvrier, en l'Année present 1627

Lot n° 557
Small 4o (199 x 146 mm). 34 leaves, engraved frontispiece (second state, with the background on the left fixed), dedicatory epistle by Callot, 9 double-page signed etchings by Callot, 7 depicting the processions and floats, 2 showing the Duchess's entrance and the tournament in the great hall of the Palais Ducal in Nancy (plate 3 [Lieure 578] in the first state), small text engraving on G3r of the "bras armé", emblem of the house of Lorraine (Lieure 588), woodcut initials and tail-pieces. (A few small marginal repairs, washed.) 20th-century red morocco, edges gilt, by Chambolle-Duru; morocco-faced slipcase.Provenance: D.S. (leather book label); acquired from R.E. Lewis, 1977.

FIRST AND ONLY EDITION of a rare fête book, considered one of the most beautiful of Callot's series of book illustrations. Callot himself directed the pageant and designed the costumes for the festivities held in honor of Duke Charles IV's cousin the Duchess of Chevreuse. The pageant was held in his palace at Nancy, to honor his beautiful cousin who was in exile at Lorraine after the discovery of her role in the plot against Richelieu. The Duke and his cousin the Prince of Phalbourg fought for her favor in an evening joust--the fight itself is shown in the final plate. "As the pupil of Parigi, Callot brought a Florentine fête to Nancy. It took place in the salle des cerfs of the ducal palace... It is sad to record that Callot was paid only a small amount for his work" (E. de T. Bechtel, Jacques Callot, New York, 1955, p. 26). Berlin Kat. 2994; Brunet III:371-72; Lieure 575-588.