ATTRIBUTED TO JOHANN HEINRICH WÜEST (ZÜRICH 1741–1821) Switzerland: a view...
ATTRIBUTED TO JOHANN HEINRICH WÜEST (ZÜRICH 1741–1821)
Switzerland: a view of the Balsthal Waterfall in the Canton of Solothurn
oil on canvas
261⁄4 x 205⁄8 in. (66.6 x 52.3 cm.)
Lot Essay
This painting is an excellent example of the consideration landscape artists gave to mountains and rocks at the end of the 18th century, when geology and the study of the earth spread among scholars and scientists. Depicted here is the waterfall of Balsthal, in the Swiss canton of Solothurn, and its surrounding rocky peaks. Several figures are visible in the foreground, added on a small scale to create a dramatic effect. This painting is attributed to Johann Heinrich Wüest (1741-1821), an important Kleinmeister specialized in depicting Swiss mountain landscapes. Although with some variations, the painting was reproduced in a hand-colored etching by Swiss artist Matthias Pfenninger (1739-1813), dated around 1775. The etching, an example of which is in the collection of the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna (inv. FKB-Vues Schweiz A-E, Ballstall KAR MAG), is inscribed 'Dessiné ap: Nat.r par M.th Pfeninger Graveur a Zurich' at the bottom left and 'Peint par H. Wuest' at the bottom right. A further inscription reads: 'Dedié a Monsieur Henry Wuest Peintre par son Amy er Serviteur Math. Pfeninger Graveur'. It was popular between the 18th and 19th century for printmakers to dedicate their own works to friends, artists and collectors, in part to enlarge their network and find more potential clients.
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ATTRIBUTED TO JOHANN HEINRICH WÜEST (ZÜRICH 1741–1821)
Switzerland: a view of the Balsthal Waterfall in the Canton of Solothurn
oil on canvas
261⁄4 x 205⁄8 in. (66.6 x 52.3 cm.)
Lot Essay
This painting is an excellent example of the consideration landscape artists gave to mountains and rocks at the end of the 18th century, when geology and the study of the earth spread among scholars and scientists. Depicted here is the waterfall of Balsthal, in the Swiss canton of Solothurn, and its surrounding rocky peaks. Several figures are visible in the foreground, added on a small scale to create a dramatic effect. This painting is attributed to Johann Heinrich Wüest (1741-1821), an important Kleinmeister specialized in depicting Swiss mountain landscapes. Although with some variations, the painting was reproduced in a hand-colored etching by Swiss artist Matthias Pfenninger (1739-1813), dated around 1775. The etching, an example of which is in the collection of the Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna (inv. FKB-Vues Schweiz A-E, Ballstall KAR MAG), is inscribed 'Dessiné ap: Nat.r par M.th Pfeninger Graveur a Zurich' at the bottom left and 'Peint par H. Wuest' at the bottom right. A further inscription reads: 'Dedié a Monsieur Henry Wuest Peintre par son Amy er Serviteur Math. Pfeninger Graveur'. It was popular between the 18th and 19th century for printmakers to dedicate their own works to friends, artists and collectors, in part to enlarge their network and find more potential clients.
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
