Skip to Main Content

Due to required maintenance, some galleries and artwork may be off view. Learn more.

Open today: 10am-5pm

1620

The Fair at Impruneta (First Version)

Jacques Callot

French, 1592 - 1635

This etching by Jacques Callot is a tour-de-force of printmaking, depicting hundreds of men, women, dogs, cats, and other animals to conjure up the hustle and bustle of an annual event. The fair at Impruneta, Italy (a Tuscan hill town south of Florence), was dedicated to Saint Luke and took place every year on October 18, the saint's feast day.

In the lower right corner a quack can be seen performing on a platform. The snake entwined around his arm was readily recognized by his audience as a potent talisman of healing.

This record is part of an ongoing effort to share accurate and evolving information. If you notice anything we should improve, we welcome your feedback at [email protected]

Images on this site are shared for educational use. For image rights, permissions, or to learn more about image rights and access, email [email protected]