Guerra d'Amore.; Three Plates (of four) commissioned to commemorate the carnival in Florence, dedicated by Cosimo II de' Medici to his wife, Grand Duchess of Tuscany by CALLOT, Jacques (circa 1592-1635) - 1616

[Florence], 1616. From the Collection of Arthur & Charlotte Vershbow. Three etchings (from the set of four), comprising [Chariots and Characters] (L. 169 "Les chars et les personnages"), a very good impression of the rare first state (of three), watermark Fleur-de-Lys in Double Circle with Initial V -- Mostra della guerra d'amore (L. 170, "Le Défilé Entrée des Chars de l'Afrique et de l'Aise"), a very good impression of the rare second state (of three), without watermark -- and Uno de gl'abbattimenti della guerra d'amore (L. 171, "Le Combat des Sections d'Infantrie'), a good impression of the third, final state, without watermark. All with wide margins, some deckle edges preserved, very minor staining, generally in very good condition. Provenance: unidentified collector's mark, Dr R in a square (not in Lugt); purchased from Hellmuth Wallach, 1957. Callot's prints, made after the theatrical spectacles designed by Giulio Parigi, capture the extravagance of the 1616 Florence carnival. The celebrations consisted of a triumphal procession, a mock battle, a ballet on horseback and a tournament in the Piazza Santa Croce, on Shrove Tuesday, 12th February. The premise was the battle between Indamoro, the King of Narsinga (played by Cosimo II) and Gradamento, King of Melinda (played by Lorenzo, Cosimo's brother) for the love of the Queen of India, represented by a gold statue. Callot's etchings, which show the various phases of the combat, were part of the souvenir booklet written by the poet Andrea Salvadori and published by Zandri Pignoni in Florence in 1616. The first print represents chariots and characters in costume for the horse ballet and tournament "War of Love". The second shows the parade in the Amphitheater, and entry of the floats representing Africa and Asia. The third, also in the amphitheater, depicts the battles of the infantries. Lieure 169-171.