"IMAGES OF VIOLENCE: JACQUES CALLOT’S MISÈRES ET LES MAL-HEURS DE LA GUERRE"

an essay completed in June 2008

Abstract: As one of the first artistic series to represent the agonies of war, Jacque Callot’s Misères de la guerre has captivated audiences since its creation in 1633. This print series, which seems to have been created solely for personal motives, depicts the life of the soldier and the violence surrounding his profession. Taking a unique non-partisan stance throughout this series, Callot describes violent abuses of power in order to illustrate an interest in moral authority and the progressive sense of humanity that flourished during the Renaissance. In this article, I propose to examine the Misères de la guerre prints, explore how one is to look at such images, and discuss the significant impact these prints have made to the history of art.