La Foire de Gondreville

Jacques Callot 1592 - 1635

Summary

A reproduction produced by the Vasari Society of a drawing by Jacques Callot. In the centre of the drawing is a large tree, which some people have climbed along with a goat. There are many people and various animals on the ground surrounding. To the right of the tree a group of people is holding hands in a circle, dancing. In front of them a child appears to be playing with a dog. A mound rises to the right, with a cock sat atop it. In the bottom left-hand corner a person is reclining against a wheel. There are several squat buildings surrounding the scene, and in the distance. Text from the accompanying booklet produced by the Vasari Society: "No. 26 JACQUES CALLOT (b. 1592; d. 1635) LA FOIRE DE GONDREVILLE Study for the etching, Meaume 623. Collection of the Hon. A. Holland-Hibbert. Black chalk and sepia wash. 17.8 x 33.2 cm. (7 x 13 in.). The sketch was probably made in 1621, soon after Callot's return from Italy, when he was working at the Château de Gondreville, the summer residence of Jean des Porcellets, Bishop of Toul. It has been indented with the stylus in the principal lines, for transfer. As to the etching, we quote from material kindly communicated by M. Bruwaert: 'Dans tous les cas, l'œuvre est bien contemporaine de la Foire de l'Impruneta [Meaume 624], gravée au début de l'année précédente 1620. On y retrouve les mêmes idées, les mêmes groupes: danses en rond curieux à cheval, seigneur et dame (avec ombrelle), buveurs à table, animaux divers. Le coq de droite est le coq de la Veuve de Sarepta [Meaume 2], œuvre italienne de 1619 ou de 1620. Enfin la signature autographe ou gravée de Callot est la signature. italienne encore, Jac. Callot, conservée deux ou trois ans par l'artiste après son retour dans sa famille.' [See also, Edmond Bruwaert: Vie de Jacques Callot, Paris, 1912, p. 94.] A. S."