Archive of Works by Artist and Architect Johann Petz (German, 1818-1880)

Lot 392

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Cleveland Fine and Decorative Art, Americana and Prints by Cowan's Auctions

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Lot Description

Archive of Works by Artist and Architect Johann Petz (German, 1818-1880)

Johann Petz (German, 1818-1880) includes sketches in pencil and ink of classical and religious subjects, sanguine drawings, engraved architectural plates, and several watercolors and pastels, all assembled in two large archival boxes. The lot also includes two early photographs of Petz and certificates from Munich recognizing his work.

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. Sketches believed to be of this monument are included in the archive of Petz’s works.

From these sketches and others, it is clear that 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).

Included in this archive are engraved architectural plates outlining his plans and numerous other sketches detailing both religious and classical subjects, as well as figural representations and copies of old masters, such as a pencil drawing after an Albrecht Dürer self-portrait. The influence of these old masters can clearly be seen in Petz’s works, and numerous sketches provide insight into his working method.

Information obtained from:

“Johann Petz,” trans. Joseph L. Petz, in Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (Leipzig: Duncker & Humblot, 1875-1912).

Br. Nathan Cochran, ed., with contributions by Jordan Hainsey, Fr. Cosmas Wolf: Monk, Architect, Sculptor, Designer (Latrobe, PA: The Saint Vincent Gallery, Saint Vincent College, 2014), 7.

Provenance: The Old Master Print Collection of Johann Petz (Germany, 1818-1880)

Condition

Various conditions. Toning, wear, fading, stains present on pieces in collection.

For condition inquiries please contact cleveland@cowans.com.

Please note that a condition report is only an opinion, given as a courtesy, and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Cowan's Auctions shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
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