A series composed of 27 strange and mysterious works, Lux Claustri (The Light of the Prison) praises a life of monastic seclusion and piety in contrast to the outside world of sin. Originally part of an emblem book with brief accompanying Latin and French phrases, these works depict curious scenes that encourage private contemplation. The series begins with the frontispiece, an image of Christ the Redeemer with Saint Bruno, Francis of Assisi, and Bernard of Clairvaux (Schroder, pg. 1171). From there, the series continues to depict various images of life and death, the natural and the supernatural, the everyday and the extraordinary. Nearly all of the images take place in a secluded outdoor setting, where "civilization" is barely visible in the far distance, relaying the overall sentiment that life away from the corrupt world of men is both admirable and beautiful.

Created in 1628, this complete set of 27 works from the series Lux Claustri (The Light of the Prison) is a Lieure State II/II, with the numbers printed in the plates in the upper left corners of the prints. The first print (frontispiece) is signed in the plate in the lower right 'Jac. Callot fe.'

DOCUMENTED AND ILLUSTRATED IN:
1. Schroder, Thomas. Jacques Callot: Das gesamte Werk Druckgraphik Volume 2. Munich: Verlag Rogner & Bernhard GMBH. Listed on pages 1171 - 1184.

2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

ABOUT THE FRAMING:
Museum-grade conservation framed in a complementary moulding with silk mats and optical grade Plexiglas.