Schmidt – Pesne, Antoine (Paris 1683 – Berlin 1757). The Engraver / G(eorg). F(riedrich). Schmidt & Frau. The draughtsman and engraver (1712 Berlin 1775) leaning upon a copper plate and already showing with his right the solution while his left still holding “La Impossible” as opened book. Sitting on the other side his wife Dorothee Louise, b. Videbant. Steel engraving by William French (c. 1815 – East Grinstead 1898). 3^rd quarter of the 19^th century. Inscribed: Antoine Pesne pinx^t. / W. French sc., otherwise as above. 14.3 x 14.3 cm.

Thieme-Becker, Pesne, 467 ff., and, Schmidt, 142 (“Besides J. W. Meil and Chodowiecki principal representative of the Berlin engraving in the 18^th century, particularly for the portrait”). – Interesting, too, for the working material lying besides the plate on the table. Schmidt, son of a clothier, was “one of the most famous artists of the 18^th century” (Nagler).

“ Prominent rendering finally a number of portraits deserve, in which (Pesne), unrestricted by courtly convention and the wishes of high-ranking orderers, has depicted his friends (G. F. Schmidt and wife, Berlin, Deutsches Mus., and others more) and his relatives …

“ Among the Berlin painters of the 18^th century P. is by far the most important artist personage and together one of the most excellent rococo painters of Germany ”

(C. F. Foerster, Thieme-Becker, op. cit.).
Offer no. 7,995 / EUR  65. (c. US$ 95.) + shipping

“ Yes please. I take that (further) copy.
I have now fetched the (last) parcel at the post office and I was very pleased. First of all: thank you for making so good parcel. I hate when I receive damaged copies because of bad envelopes. So once again: thank you very much for handling the items with such care! For me that is another word for seriousness and professionalism.
It was also a good copy and I liked it very much.
Please let me know if there is more items coming up ”

(Mrs. G. H., June 19, 2006)