Ridinger, Johann Elias (Ulm 1698 – Augsburg 1767). And gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Etching with engraving. 2nd half of the ’40s. Inscribed: Joh. Elias Ridinger inv. fec. et excud. Aug. Vind., otherwise Gen. 3, 6 as above in German-French and Latin monostich by St. Ambrosius. 39.1 x 54.7 cm.
(detail)
Thienemann + Schwarz 814. – Plate 8 of the 12-sheet Paradise set as the “Very fine composition, showing all the animals of the chase in natural surroundings, with beautiful light effects”, Schwerdt III, 144. – One executed preparatory drawing and three sketches Weigel 803-806. Three sketches in Augsburg for the central group of two, one of which executed.
“ The faithful dog below of Adam distorts the belly convulsively and howls for sympathetic grieve, the cat wallows in the dust. A parrot tries to punish Eve. Behind her two peacocks, as allegory of haughtiness and self-complacency, then a glutton – symbol of self-indulgence, greediness – the bird of paradise hastens to leave the paradise. Also a lustful and lascivious baboon looks approvingly ”
(Thienemann).
On the left as well right in front as also placed back the Great One-horned Rhinoceros “Clara” as the first scientific illustration of the rhinoceros (Th. 295) drawn from life by Ridinger in Augsburg in 1748. On the right the Red Indian Hyena (Th. 279) as the zoological significant “first useful presentation of the Red Indian Striped Hyena” (Th.) drawn from life by the stepson Seutter in Florence in 1744 and published by Ridinger in 1745 and in such a way years before Buffon. Which dates are of interest for the chronological fixing of the Paradise set on the late ’40s. So the drawing of a running rhinoceros Weigel/1869, 708 thinkable as a further model dates from 1754 only.
Contemporary impression with margins 1.2-4 cm wide. Originating from old Munich possession the sheet has been deframed and cleansed to the effect that also optically the quality of the impression shows well again. – In the right outer field of the picture five (three larger) acid-freely backed tears not perceptible from the front, one such in the white subfield reaching to the edge of the subject.
Offer no. 28,369 / EUR 535. / export price EUR 508. (c. US$ 683.) + shipping
Currently available sheets from the Paradise set :
Th. 808
“ I am curious as to the history of this (original Ridinger printing-)plate (just I bought) and the others you have offered. Did you purchase them from the Ridinger estate (indirectly, indeed) or a private collector? These are truly rare one of a kind pieces ”
(Mr. L. A. F., October 28, 2003)