The Copy Counts Faber-Castell
Ridinger, Johann Elias (Ulm 1698 – Augsburg 1767). S. Bernardus. Saint Bernard in three-quarter figure to the left, holding in the raised right a crucifix equipped with the instruments of torture, at whose foot the left additionally holds a death’s-head. On the left on a stone plate two folios, on them austere tiara, and a further scourge rod. Mezzotint. Inscribed: I. El. Ridinger excud. A. V., otherwise as above. 52 x 42.4 cm.
Provenance
Counts Faber-Castell
their Ridinger sale 1958
with its lot no. 174
on the underlay carton
Radulf Count of Castell-Rüdenhausen
(1922-2004)
Schwarz 1539 with ills. II, plate L; Faber-Castell 174; Wend, (Additions to the Definitive Catalogues of Prints), I/1 (1975), 215.
Not in Thienemann (1856) , Stillfried (1876) , Weigel, Art Stock Catalogue, pts. I-XXVIII (1838/57) , Silesian Ridinger collection at Boerner XXXIX (1885) , Coppenrath Collection (1889 f.) , Reich auf Biehla (1894) , Gg. Hamminger (1895) , Helbing XXXIV (Works by J. E. and M. E. Ridinger, 1900) , Rosenthal, Ridinger list 126 (1940).
Contrast-rich deep black impression with fine margins running around, in the right upper edge of the subject numbered with red chalk pen “71.”. Slightly time-marked, but of fine general impression. And rare, as proven, and already 1856 generally resumed by Thienemann:
“ The mezzotints are almost not available in the trade anymore
… all worked by and after Joh. El. Ridinger (are) that rare that they are to be found almost only in some public, grand print rooms. I have come across most of the described ones only in the famous print room at Dresden … ”
(pages VIII + 270).
A situation also possible new editions could change little as according to the expert Sandrart (1675) the technically conditioned extremely fast wearing off mezzotint plate only permits 50-60 good impressions.
Here then the copy Counts Faber-Castell .
Offer no. 14,864 / EUR 570. / export price EUR 542. (c. US$ 738.) + shipping
„ Sehr geehrter Herr Niemeyer, Grüß Gott,
Ihre Graphiksendung ist wohlbehalten angekommen. Ich habe mich sehr gefreut über die Schönheit der Blätter und ihren ausgezeichneten Erhaltungszustand. Vielen herzlichen Dank. Mit diesen Blättern kann ich in den entsprechenden Folgen einige schmerzliche Lücken schließen … Nachdem ich Kassensturz gemacht habe, der günstig ausgefallen ist, folgt hier eine weitere Bestellung … Ich hoffe, dass die Blätter nicht inzwischen verkauft wurden …
Mit freundlichen Grüßen nach Padingbüttel “
(Herr W. G., 3. August 2009)