Ridinger’s  Zeus  Rarity

Ridinger, Johann Elias (Ulm 1698 – Augsburg 1767). Zeuss. On cloud armchair flying through the air, with him the eagle, the thunderbolt in the raised left, the angled right supported, likewise the right leg, the look turned downwards in anger. Engraving. Inscribed: J E R. 19.8 x 16 cm.

Thienemann + Schwarz 845; Counts Faber-Castell (1958) 59 in erroneous assumption of the belonging to the three sets of the “Different Presentations of some Figures from the Ancient Age suitable for History”, see 14,878 here as well as Thienemann’s updated sequence (1^st separate appendix, pp. 5 ff.), correspondingly Schwarz I, pp. 111 f.

Not in Weigel, Art Stock Catalogue, pts. I-XXVIII (1838/57; more than 1000 sheet of the engraved/etched Ridinger work) , Silesian Ridinger Collection at Boerner (1885; “of greatest richness … many rarities”) , Coppenrath Collection (1889/90) , R. collection at Wawra (1890; besides 234 drawings 600 prints) , Reich auf Biehla Collection (1894; “Of all [R. collections on the market] since long time there is none standing comparison even approximately with the present one in respect of completeness and quality … especially the rarities and undescribed sheets present in great number”; 1266 sheet plus 470 doubles + 20 drawings) , R. catalogue Helbing (1900; 1554 nos.) , R. list Rosenthal (1940; 444 nos.).

The monogram lower left without between-points as quoted by Schwarz, rather the R seems to be followed by an “s” for “sculpsit”. – The sides trimmed on up to within the platemark, thereby upper right till close to the edge of the subject. Above + below with 4-6 mm margin. – At the back at the margins old traces of mounting as well as three face sketches in pencil.
Offer no. 15,229 / EUR  345. / export price EUR  328. (c. US$ 458.) + shipping

“ Thank you Mr. Niemeyer, The prints (you are delivered two weeks ago) are being framed right now. My framer is very particular (works for the National Gallery … ) and I am having a perfect frame made for the large Ridinger (the imperial stag hunt Th. 67). Best regards ”

(Mr. J. R. L., November 19, 2003)