16th-17th-Century Historical Engravings
Continental, probably German, 16th-17th century. Engravings on laid paper. An assembled group of fourteen engravings, including a title page for
Theil Bewerter Historien der Lieben Heiligen Gottes by Laurentius Surius (Germany, 1576) with engraving of Christ enthroned on verso, the title page for
Postilla Christlicher Catholischer Predigen... (Germany, 1595) with coat of arms engraved on verso, the title page for
Epitome Chronologica Historiae Universalis by Otto Aicher (Germany, 1706), five wartime or battle scenes, two classical scenes, two court scenes, one scene of a king surrounded by clergy and noblemen, and one depicting three statues of Indian deities; most have text on verso suggesting images were cut from books; 8 x 12.5 in. (largest plate).
From The Old Master Print Collection of Johann Petz (Germany, 1818-1880), Descended in the Family of the Artist Petz was born at Lermoos, Tyrol, in 1818 and showed an early interest in wood carving and drawing. Petz worked as a shepherd for his family as a boy, but fled as a young man to a distant relative in Wildermiemingen to pursue the study of sculpture and drawing, which he did for three and a half years. In 1837, he decided to further his studies in Munich, and by chance he came into contact with the sculptor Konrad Eberhard (German, 1768-1859). Eberhard recognized Petz’s talent and took the young man on as a pupil, and several years later, secured for him a commission for the memorial statue for the famous German scholar Heinrich Klee (1800-1840). Petz’s design outlined a Gothic niche surmounted by a pinnacles and finials, which would house a sandstone sculpture of the Good Shepherd. This marked the beginning of the young artist’s career and established his reputation in Munich.
Petz was influenced by Nazarene and Neo-Gothic movements in Bavaria, otherwise known as the Pre-Raphaelite movement in England. Petz would also go on to receive commissions for churches, altars, and tombstones in England and the United States, and was highly sought after as a sculptor and church designer. Several locations for which he designed churches and their decorations are Cham, Arnschwang, Seeon, Vilsbiburg, Isen, and Riedering. Most notably, he contributed the design for a sculpture of the Last Supper for the Frauenkirche in Munich in 1859, which was regrettably lost in air raids during World War II. During his career Petz also worked with Joseph Otto Entres (Germany, 1804-1870) and Joseph Knabl (Germany, 1819-1881).
Provenance: The Old Master Print Collection of Johann Petz (Germany, 1818-1880)
Condition
Several pieces adhered to backing. Wear and discoloration, tears, fading, and small stains to all.
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