Cartouche Moderne with Emblems of Death

Johann Esaias Nilson

Associated Names
Johann Esaias Nilson

Artist, German, 1721 - 1788

This is a drawing of decorative architectural elements and motifs. The composition features ornate, empty cartouches on both sides, a detailed depiction of an obelisk adorned with a cameo relief surrounded by foliage and baroque-style embellishments. A cherubic figure sits near objects like musical instruments and art tools. The drawing emphasizes the elaborate design of each element with intricate lines and shadows.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching [counterproof] with drawing in pen and black ink and gray wash, on laid paper incised with grounding in red chalk for transfer on verso

  • Credit Line

    Mark J. Millard Architectural Collection and Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    sheet (cut within platemark): 16.5 x 25.9 cm (6 1/2 x 10 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2000.89.2

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Schuster 1936, no. 65, State [counterproof of proof state]

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(sale, Sotheby's New York, 4 May 2000, no. 25); (C.G. Boerner, Inc., New York); purchased 2000 by NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1936

  • Schuster, Marianne. Johann Esaias Nilson: ein Kupferstcher des süddeutschen Rokoko. Munich, 1936.

Wikidata ID

Q76346131

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