Johann Elias Ridinger (Ulm 1698 – Augsburg 1767). The Lions. Main suite of six plates. Etchings with engraving. Inscribed: J(oh). El. Ridinger (ad viv.) del. fec. (sculps.) et exc(ud). Aug. Vind., titled as below. 10⅜-10½ × 10-10⅛ in (26.5-26.7 × 25.3-25.7 cm).

Thienemann + Schwarz 517-522. – Titles and quotes from Martialis, Sillius, Virgil and Lucanus in Latin-German parallel text. – Top rounded. – Typographic watermark. – Little dot of rust in the lower platemark of Th. 517, small spot of thinned paper in the wide lower paper margin of Th. 518.

The Majestic Lion – The Lion from behind – The Roaring Lion – The Lion lying in ambush for the Attack – The Sleeping Lion (good to see the additional breathing holes in the lion’s palate) – The Lion resting at his Mother’s Side.

Also with respect to their state evenly splendid A qualities of the basic plates 1-6 of this quite magnificent suite – inspired by Marc de Bye’s 8-sheet set of 1664 after Paulus Potter? – whose plates 7 & 8 are to be considered rather a supplement since deviating in both scenery – inside of a menagerie at Augsburg – and caption. The splendidly wide margins between 7 and 12 cm top and below and 3.5 cm laterally resp. Rarely so fine.

Offer no. 12,350 | price on application