Fountain in a Summerhouse

1764

Salomon Gessner

Associated Names
Salomon Gessner

Artist, Swiss, 1730 - 1788

The image depicts a garden with a large arch structure covered in greenery and trellis work. In the center of the garden is a sculptural fountain with a female figure pouring water. A male figure stands nearby, and a distant statue is partially visible. The scene is intricately detailed with fine lines, and the color palette is monochromatic in shades of black and sepia. The garden's exit is visible in the distance, lined with trees and structures.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    plate: 20.9 x 18.7 cm (8 1/4 x 7 3/8 in.)
    sheet: 29.5 x 26.1 cm (11 5/8 x 10 1/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1996.12.1

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Leemann-Van Elck 1930, no. 1

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Unidentified collector (blind stamp, EM, Lugt 885); Prof. Dr. Richard Jung, probably Switzerland or Germany [1911-1986] (Lugt undescribed); (Lutz Riester), Switzerland; purchased 1996 by NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1930

  • Leemann-Van Elck, Paul. Salomon Gessner: Dichter, Maler und Radierer, 1730-1788. Zurich, 1930.

Inscriptions

lower right in plate: S.Gessner. inv et f. 1764.; across bottom in plate: Gravé a l'eau forte par S. Gessner Auteur de la Mort d'Abel et de plusieurs Pastorales, et se vend a Bale, chés Ch:de Mechel / Graveur, et a Paris chés Buldet Marchand d'Estampes Rüe de Gesvres au grand Coeur; on side of fountain in plate: X PAYSAGES / DEDIÉS / A MR. WATELET / AUTEUR DU POEME / SUR L'ART DE PEINDRE / PAR SON AMI / S. GESSNER.; by later hand, lower right in ink: Gessner Salomon, peintre à gouache, / dessinateur et graveur à la pointe, né à Zurich, / en 1734, mort en 1788, dans la même ville, / gessner, sim[b]le amateur [n]'a dû ses talens / pittoresque qu'à son génie.; by later hand, lower right in ink: A.

Wikidata ID

Q75396056

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