Johann Elias Ridinger (Ulm 1698 – Augsburg 1767). The Happy Shepherds’ Life. / Vita pastoritia felix. The languishing shepherd-gallant at the feet of his yet very superior shepherdess and pointing at the grapes brought along for her. On the left before a cabin a shephard leaning onto the back of a bull, all around sheep and at the feet of his master the hound. Mezzotint after François Boucher (1703 Paris 1770). Inscribed: J. E. Ridinger exc. Aug. Vind., otherwise as above. 16¾ × 21 in (42.5 × 53.4 cm).

Th.-Stillfried & Schwarz 1400; Reich auf Biehla Collection 286 (“Somewhat waterstained … With wide margin. Of greatest rarity”, 1894); Ridinger Cat. Helbing (1900) 1537.

Not in Thienemann (1856) , Weigel, Art Stock Catalog, pts. I-XXVIII (1838/57) , Silesian Ridinger Collection at Boerner (1885) , Coppenrath Collection (1889/90) , R. collection at Wawra (1890) , Hamminger Collection (1895) , R. list Rosenthal (1940).

Large sheet in reverse after Claude-Augustin Duflos’ (1700 Paris 1786) Ne plaignons point le sort de ces bergers from his with but 11 × 12⅝ in (28 × 32 cm) considerably smaller-sized four-sheet series Les amours pastorales after Boucher (“Main master of rococo”, Jahn).

Established only by Stillfried’s third appendix to Thienemann of 1876 and as all of Ridinger’s mezzotints very rare. The ones mentioned in literature aside, known here only the copy Alexander Count of Faber-Castell (1958) and a further one, if not the same, from the early 1960s. However, not identical with the latter.

Bipartite typographic watermark. – With quatrain in German-Latin parallel text. – Of vibrant chiaroscuro and with truly superb wide margins of 9.7-10.3 on the sides and 4.5 and 5.6 cm resp. on top and bottom. – The lower margin minimally fissured. On the back slightly visible centerfold.

Offer no. 28,106 | price on application