Project d'une Grotte (Plan for a Grotto)

c. 1755/1760

Johann Esaias Nilson

Associated Names
Johann Esaias Nilson

Artist, German, 1721 - 1788

The image shows an ornate grotto design with intricate details including curling leaf motifs and scrolls. In the center is a seated female figure surrounded by other figures, set within a grand niche. A water fountain element and surrounding foliage enhance the design. The style appears to reflect the Rococo style of the 18th century.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    plate: 26.7 x 19.9 cm (10 1/2 x 7 13/16 in.)
    sheet: 40.3 x 25 cm (15 7/8 x 9 13/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1993.54.3

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(sale, Helmut H. Rumbler, Frankfurt am Main, cat. 23, 1988, no. 59); purchased 1993 by NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1880

  • Guilmard, Désiré. Les Maitres Ornemanistes. Paris, 1880: p. 444, no. 79, IX.

1924

  • Jessen, Peter. Meister des ornamentstichs, eine Auswahl aus vier Jahrhunderten. Berlin, 1922-1924: 3:141.

1935

  • Schuster, Marianne. J.E. Nilson. Munich, 1935, no. 70-73.

1960

  • Döry, Ludwig. Katalog der Ornamentstich-Sammlung. Hamburg, 1960: p. 21, no. 66, IX.

Inscriptions

lower right in plate: J. E. Nilson, inv: Sculps: et excud: Aug: Vind:; upper right in plate: 3.; across bottom in plate: Project d'une Grotte; by later hand, upper right in brown ink: 41.

Watermarks

Heart with the letter "W"

Wikidata ID

Q75124797

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