_James Callot_ (French: 1593-1635).
"A curious and fantastic composition (in Indian ink), by a
celebrated engraver and draughtsman, in which it would seem
that the artist intended to satirise the ecclesiastic factions
rife in France during the minority of Louis XIII. Under the
vault of a huge cave, round the upper part of which evil
spirits and harpies are sporting, several figures are grouped.
In the centre of the foreground two Jesuits are derided by
demons. On the right, Cerberus, chained to a rock, guards the
entrance to Hell, while an armed warrior (Louis XIII.) stands
near with his back to the spectator. On the left is Death,
surrounded by his victims and the Vices. In the middle distance
Charon is crossing the Styx with his boat full of passengers,
whom a crowd on the shore vainly endeavour to join. Beyond are
represented the tortures of the condemned, among whom Ixion,
Tityus, the Danaides, and other mythological personages are
conspicuous. The armorial bearings introduced on the lower
edge of the drawing are supposed to be those of M. de Boyer of
Baudot, who is said to have suggested the design" (_Director's
Report_, 1884). The artist's independence of character is
recorded in a familiar anecdote. He was witness to the siege
and capitulation of his native town, Nancy, in 1633, and the
French king called on him to engrave a plate commemorative of
the occurrence. When he declined, some of the courtiers are
said to have remarked to the artist that there were means to
make him comply. He replied that he would sooner cut off his
right hand than employ it in such a work; a speech which, being
reported to the king, led him to say that the Dukes of Lorraine
were fortunate in the possession of such subjects.