Ridinger, Johann Elias (Ulm 1698 – Augsburg 1767). How the Stags are stalked in a Deer Park. In spacious, multifariously staged and most richly enacted grounds

the  two  huntsmen  behind  their  overgrown  artificial  wall  with  openings .

Etching + engraving. (1750.) Inscribed: I. El. Ridinger inv. del. & sculp. / verlegt in Augsburg bey Martin Engelbrecht. 25 x 35.6 cm.

Thienemann + Schwarz 74; Silesian Ridinger collection at Boerner XXXIX, within 1787 (in “newer impression” only, 1885!). – Sheet 6 of the instructive 30-sheet set of the MEANS TO CATCH THE WILD ANIMALS (“A rare set”, Schwerdt 1928), as a whole even missing in Helbing’s gigantic offer of 1900, but also

one  of  the  five  sheets  missing  there  also  separately !

The in its painterly conception also pictorially outstanding sheet in a marvelous impression of rich chiaroscuro with 3-4, above 2.5 cm margin around on the prime-quality cloudy paper known for old though somewhat later impressions.

(+ Th. 75, 89, 91) which bear the address of Martin Engelbrecht (1684-1756, the equal-named publishing house till 1827) in Augsburg already from early on and with exception of Thienemann + Schwarz are known only in impressions  without  the explaining subtext and therefore have been qualified hitherto as “Proofs” (Schwerdt, 1928, for Th. 74, 75 + 89), “Early impressions before the text” of the otherwise “four sheets published later only” (L’Art Ancien, 1939, on occasion of the offer of the Schwerdt copy), “Impressions before the letter, just with artist name and address” (counts Faber-Castell, 1958), “States on hand-made paper with inscription + Engelbrecht address, but before title and subtext” (here, 1978, with the first reference to the insufficiently described characteristics and the priority of the states).

Thienemann’s (1856) “occasionally” these four sheets would bear no subtext and the Engelbrecht address should refer to newer impressions can therefore be interpreted to the contrary only. “Occasionally” there are indeed impressions  with  the letter. So obviously the copy Weigel XXVIII, Ridinger 7 A, on which Thienemann should have based himself. Then Schwarz (1910) for Th. 74, 89 + 91, but all already  with  the Engelbrecht address, 74a, in conformity to the above, only with artist name and Engelbrecht address as “before” (!) the letter and in addition 93a as interesting further variant, that is before any letter.

Weigel 7 B lists the set then as “in later impressions where for no. Th. 74, 75, 89 and 91

Whereby it has to be taken into account that the Engelbrecht edition of c. 1824 was done on Thurneisen paper without watermark lines (see lot 5172 of the 142^nd Tenner sale, 1982), the four subtext-free sheets in question, however, were regarded even by experts as early impressions due to their printing and handmade paper quality.

What  now  is  the  matter  with  these  four  plates?

Have they been lost and then engraved anew for an Engelbrecht edition whereby in hectic the subtext had been omitted? This explanation sounded plausible. As long at least as here the original printing plate for Th. 91 with the text, but, mind, also  with  the Engelbrecht address à la Schwarz 74, 89 + 91 emerged. And by this corroborated Weigel 7 B according to whom during printing of these four “the subtext has been covered up”. For the time being the reason for this remains in the dark. Whereby it has to be noted that the subtexts of these four additionally stand out from all others by their shortness of 4 lines only.

And it is confirmed that the emerging of the plate for Th. 91 as till now only one of the four from now on provides the firm ground for all speculation hitherto

and this thus has been established for all “proofs” and “early impressions” as just having been covered up. Surely with exception of Schwarz 93 a, “before all letters”.
Offer no. 14,667 / EUR  630. / export price EUR  599. (c. US$ 849.) + shipping

“ Sir, yes, (the Rubens) is closer to the one in London (recte Dresden), but the one we have is on copper. Thank you for your time. Highest regards, D… A… (and yes America could use a blessing about now) ”

(Mr. D. A., November 4, 2003)