“ Come unto Me all …
I will give you Rest ”
Hogarth, William (1697 London 1764). Sleeping Congregation. Sunday’s divine service in the countryside. The contrast to the divine service of the Methodists – Credulity, Superstition and Fanaticism – could hardly be bigger. Engraving by Thomas Cook (c. 1744 – London 1818). (1795-1803.) Inscribed: Designed by W. Hogarth, title as before. 12 × 8¼ in (30.4 × 20.8 cm).
Wonderful impression with the chiaroscuro especially important here as symbolizing the divine sphere. Beyond that – contrary to all later Hogarth editions – in the original size. – Cook “made his mark as Hogarth engraver, too” (Thieme-Becker). – On the right trimmed within the platemark, otherwise wide-margined.
“ In the present sheet Hogarth ridicules the English High Church by depicting the effect which results from the way to preach handed down to their priests of old … (This) himself, the sexton and two old women are the only ones awake. The sexton, who is paid for watching anyway, contemplates another pleasant object which keeps his spirits alive. With connoisseur’s eyes he beholds the bare bosom of a young girl (probably the daughter of the lord of the manor) sitting sideways whose scarf dropped off during the slumber. Oddly enough she has fallen asleep over the prayer on marriage … In the opposite pew five peasants lie in deepest rest … Among the garnishing else a family crest … is to be mentioned. It consists of three night owls, the ancient symbols of wisdom. They rise, as it were a general crest, high above the whole congregation ”
(Lichtenberg).
Offer no. 7,559 / EUR 176. (c. US$ 213.) + shipping
– – – The same in engraving by Carl Heinrich Rahl (Hoffenheim 1779 – Vienna 1843). (1818/23.) Inscribed: 60. 8⅝ × 6⅝ in (22 × 16.9 cm).
Offer no. 12,374 / EUR 50. (c. US$ 60.) + shipping
– – – The same in engraving by Ernst Ludwig Riepenhausen (1765 Göttingen 1840, university engraver there). Inscribed: 60. / W. Hogarth pinx. / R. f. 8⅛ × 6¾ in (20.7 × 17.1 cm). – Impression on especially strong paper, supposedly about 1850. – Riepenhausen’s engravings after Hogarth (“very estimable”, Nagler) belong to his chief work and not least for being in the original direction they are partly even preferred to Hogarth’s own engravings.
Offer no. 12,375 / EUR 61. (c. US$ 74.) + shipping
– – – The same by Riepenhausen as before, but on slightly toned minor paper.
Offer no. 14,441 / EUR 50. (c. US$ 60.) + shipping
– – – The same in lithography by C. F. Heintz. (1833/36.) Inscribed: 48. / Lith. v. C. F. Heintz. / Die schlafende Versammlung. 9⅛ × 5¾ in (23.1 × 14.5 cm). – Extensive caption à la Lichtenberg in German.
Offer no. 12,376 / EUR 59. (c. US$ 71.) + shipping
– – – The same in steel engraving about 1840. 5¼ × 4⅝ in (15.8 × 11.6 cm). – Title in German + English.
Offer no. 12,377 / EUR 30. (c. US$ 36.) + shipping
„ Das Jahr 2014 geht zu Ende. Das gibt Veranlassung Ihnen sehr herzlich zu danken für viele jagdhistorische Informationen mit kunsthistorischem Charakter. Besonders dankbar bin ich für die Beschaffung des Bildes … “
(Herr W. W., 18. Dezember 2014)