The grotesque characters from Varie Figure Gobbi were inspired by a early 17th century travelling troupe of dwarfs who performed for the amusement of the court of Cosimo II during Callot’s time there in Florence.
Records in the National Library in Florence show that dwarves performed in the city during the festivities of San Romolo in 1612. Furthermore it is documented that a troupe of dwarves, who referred to themselves as 'gobbi', was hired by the palace a few days later, on 6 June 1612, in order to cheer up the ailing prince, Cosimo II.
For the title page, it seems that Callot got as far as engraving the title in Florence, which is inscribed 'fatto in firenza. lanno. 1616'. For an unknown reason, the artist then abandoned the project and only completed it upon his return to Nancy, where he etched all the other plates of the series.
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