Thoman(n) von Hagelstein, Ernst Philipp (1657 Augsburg 1726). Didactic Pieces of Hunting. Set of 4 sheet. Mezzotints printed in brown. Sheet 1 inscribed: E. P. Thoman. excudit. 35.2 x 49.7 cm (sheets 1-3) subject size 34.3-35 x 49-49.4 cm.

Schwerdt III, 171, a (Baillie-Grohman’s copy; “A complete and interesting set”). – For fitting into an album three sides trimmed to platemark (only sheet 4 with fine margin) and below under loss of the German quatrains + numbering (Schwerdt: N.1–N.4), mounted by old on laid paper and lined in brown ink. In the white upper margin old inventory inscription (Nro 1, 7, 8, 6/Tom: X/Fol 88, 94, 95, 93), also in brown ink. – Smoothened centre fold.

(here only the Schwerdt-Baillie-Grohman copy proven) in the fine impressions of a comprehensive old collection, richly nuanced in its chiaroscuro and, as all mezzotints by Ernst Philipp – “one of the best artists of his time”, Nagler – , even in single sheets, as here in more than 45 years also not been present, extraordinarily rare. So then only one further sheet among the about 27,600 of parts I-XXVIII of Weigel’s Art Stock Catalogue (1838/57; per 6,211 the portrait Rauner as also single one sheet known to Nagler + per 19,715 “Marten, Robbing a Dove’s Nest” by the son Tobias Heinrich).

In the foreground three wolves at the pegged billy-goat shielded by two huntsmen as bait, one of them already shot; in the centre a carrion dragged by a horseman with also two wolves greeted by three huntsmen; in the background near a property the hunt by a pack and hands, the latter armed with pike, flail, and net. – Laterally right quite slightly rubbed and hair-like tiny fold.

Smoking out, stoning, picking down from a tree, but foremost on two separated levels full cry of the horsemen, the footmen, the packs. – Slightly larger worm trace in the image margin upper left.

In the centre on a clearing covered on two sides by partly mounted groups two foxes accompany the run of five hares. The group in front with mounted master + mistress of the hunt, suite and a retrieved hare which to give up the hound is taught. The hounds except for one running at the tail of the field all at the leash. Instructive the different equipment. – Slightly larger worm trace in the image margin upper left and several small to tiny paper abrasions.

Digging out, slaying + dachshund hunt of the badger. In front already several bagged while another is retrieved faithfully. The partially mounted hunters supported by numerous pack en passant also taking care of a fox slipping into the earth and a roe. Only with the hedgehog in front right it does not make fun. So one urinates on it, rubs the nose in displeasure or dances around in rage. And during this fellow even runs on. In the background a castellum. – As a whole somewhat agemarked with additional smoothened vertical fine fold in the right image field and spot-like paper abrasion and some small glazing spots. All this, however, very little disturbing, disguised by the dense action and, as said, moreover with fine paper margin on three sides.

Beyond the individual-specific rarity above of together general scarceness as result of the mezzotint technique itself. Already in 1675 the expert von Sandrart numbered “clean prints” of the velvety mezzotint manner at only c. “50 or 60” (!). “Soon after (the picture) grinds off for it not goes deeply into the copper.” Correspondingly in 1856 Thienemann referring to Ridinger :

On the artist dynasty of the Thomanns originating from Lindau and flourishing more than 200 years see Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie XXXVIII, 65 f. And Nagler on Ernst Philipp :

“ In the later time of his life (Ernst Philipp) engaged in the mezzotint manner, and had but one predecessor in this in Augsburg ”

mentioning in this regard (so ADB) “Several animal and hunting pieces” only after remarks by the younger Paul von Stetten, 1731-1808, of which “we, however, found none of these specified”. In Schwerdt furthermore another set of four with Baillie-Grohman provenance and here besides his “Marten at the Nest of Wild Ducks in the Reed” also his sheet “The Earth” dedicated to the gutting of the stag as first reference beyond possible special literature to a 4-sheet set of the elements.
Offer no. 28,415  /  price on request

“ The prints arrived safely. What is your return policy? My boss, doesn’t like the images, which I understand is subjective (– probably in reaction on the 11^th September –) and no reflection on the condition or any representations you made. Sorry to bother you with this ”

(Mrs. A. P., September 26, 2001)

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