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Oswald Achenbach was a German painter associated with the Düsseldorf school of painting. Though little known today, during his lifetime he was counted among the most important landscape painters of Europe. Through his teaching activities, he influenced the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. His brother, Andreas Achenbach, who was twelve years older, was also among the most important German landscape painters of the 19th century. The two brothers were humorously called "the A and O of Landscapes" (a reference to their initials matching a common German reference to the Alpha and Omega).
Giovanni Battista Piranesi was an 18th-century Italian painter, engraver, architect, and archaeologist who represented Neoclassicism and Romanticism. He was famous for creating a lot of original etchings with images of antique architecture monuments.
Giovanni Piranesi created hundreds of drawings and drafts in which he depicted the reconstructed ruins of ancient Roman buildings. His works are still used as teaching aids in the education of architectural students in many prestigious European universities. Piranesi periodically printed voluminous books with dozens of his own engravings depicting modified ancient architectural masterpieces - "graphic fantasies". His works were in demand among professional architects, who borrowed Piranesi's original ideas for their designs.
The peak of Piranesi's career came in the 1760s when, in recognition of his merits, he became an honorary member of the Guild of St. Luke and received from the Pope the title of Knight of the Golden Spur.
More than 700 of the master's original etchings have survived, printed in scholarly works.
Giovanni Battista Piranesi was an 18th-century Italian painter, engraver, architect, and archaeologist who represented Neoclassicism and Romanticism. He was famous for creating a lot of original etchings with images of antique architecture monuments.
Giovanni Piranesi created hundreds of drawings and drafts in which he depicted the reconstructed ruins of ancient Roman buildings. His works are still used as teaching aids in the education of architectural students in many prestigious European universities. Piranesi periodically printed voluminous books with dozens of his own engravings depicting modified ancient architectural masterpieces - "graphic fantasies". His works were in demand among professional architects, who borrowed Piranesi's original ideas for their designs.
The peak of Piranesi's career came in the 1760s when, in recognition of his merits, he became an honorary member of the Guild of St. Luke and received from the Pope the title of Knight of the Golden Spur.
More than 700 of the master's original etchings have survived, printed in scholarly works.
Matthäus Merian the Elder was a Swiss engraver and draftsman, renowned for his detailed and intricate works during the Baroque era. Born in Basel in 1593, he made significant contributions to art, particularly through his engravings and illustrations. Merian's artistic journey led him to Frankfurt am Main, where he produced a plethora of engravings depicting various subjects, including battles, hunts, and topographic views of European towns.
One of his notable contributions is his work on "Theatrum Europaeum," a series that chronicled contemporary history. Merian's legacy continued through his family, with his children, particularly Matthäus Merian Jr. and Caspar, taking over his publishing house after his death in 1650. They preserved and extended their father's artistic heritage, continuing to publish significant works like the "Topographia Germaniae."
Matthäus Merian the Elder's artistry was not confined to historical and topographical subjects; he also excelled in creating alchemical illustrations, demonstrating his versatility and depth as an artist. His works, such as those found in the "Musaeum Hermeticum" and "Atalanta Fugiens," display the finesse and detail that characterize his style. Today, Merian's works are preserved in various museums and collections, offering a window into the artistic and cultural milieu of the 17th century.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Merian's works represent a significant chapter in the history of engraving and illustration, reflecting the rich cultural and historical narratives of his time. If you are keen on exploring more about Matthäus Merian the Elder's contributions to art and history, consider signing up for updates on sales and auction events related to his works.
