Book Illustration Etchings
Continental, 17th-18th century. A group of four book illustration etchings, including two possibly from same book, titled
Prospect Des Kirchen Churns S. Emmerani and an untitled interior of a church, each marked marked
pag. 217 u.r.,
pag 467 u.l., respectively, on laid paper; and two possibly from same book, titled
Havre and
Kirchoff in Salzburg, each marked for publisher
Kunst Verlag l.c., on laid paper; largest 9.5 x 5.5 in. (
Des Kirchen plate), 13.5 x 8.5 in. (
Des Kirchen paper).
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
Des Kirchen and church interior each wrinkled, have toning, several small creases and tears.
Havre and
Kirchoff in Salzburg have water stains to right side and left side, respectively, some other small stains, and wrinkling of paper.
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