In the 17th century, portrait books of scholars became especially popular. Jean-Jacques Boissard’s portraits, which debuted in Frankfurt/Main between 1697-1599, became very well known. FRONTISPIECE, Jean Jacques Boissard: Bibliotheca chalcographica illustrium virtute […], Heidelberg 1669, State and University Library of Göttingen
To guarantee the authenticity of the illustrations, the copper engraver Haid created them in the presence of the original whenever possible. The painted originals were first detached from the frames, rolled up in parchment paper and, with the help of travelling tradesfolk, transported to Augsburg. A direct comparison between the oil painting by Georg Gottlob …
From 1741 onwards, the journal “Bilder-sal” was published as a ten-volume series each with ten portraits for which one could register as buyer in advance. Back then, Augsburg was a centre for manufacture and distribution of graphic portraits. Pivotal for the “Bilder-sal” was the perception, widely spread by the 18th century, that the view of …
For the graphic execution of the portrait, Haid made use of a technique, known as mezzotint from the mid 17th century. While in copperplate engraving, the dark areas and lines are created by engraving the plate, the mezzotint process is exactly the opposite: The scraper tool is used to remove the light areas from the …
AS IF WORKED WITH A BRUSH – TECHNIQUE AND AESTHETICS OF THE MEZZOTINT Read More »
SAMUEL CHRISTIAN HOLLMANN (1696–1787), Professor of Logic and Metaphysics, Johann Jakob Haid, 1748, mezzotint, State and University Library of Göttingen
ALBRECHT VON HALLER (1708–1777), Professor of Anatomy, Botany and Surgery, Johann Jakob Haid, 1745, mezzotint, State and University Library of Göttingen
GEORG CHRISTIAN GEBAUER (1690–1773), Professor Juris Primarius and Vice-Rector of the University, Johann Jakob Haid, 1745, mezzotint, State and University Library of Göttingen
JAKOB WILHELM FEUERLEIN (1689–1766), Professor of Theology and General Superintendent of the University, Johann Jakob Haid, 1747, mezzotint, State and University Library of Göttingen
CHRISTOPH AUGUST HEUMANN (1681–1764), Chair (Ordinarius) of Philosophy and Theology, Johann Jakob Haid, ca. 1741, mezzotint, Art collection of the University of Göttingen
JOHANN FRIEDRICH PENTHER (1693–1749), Professor of Mathematics and Economy, General Building Inspector of the University, Johann Jakob Haid, ca. 1750, mezzotint, Art collection of the University of Göttingen
