Salomon Gessner

Swiss, 1730 - 1788

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The painting features a landscape view from an elevated perspective, showcasing lush vegetation and rolling hills in the distance. An obelisk-like structure is seen on the right side. The brushwork is varied, with detailed strokes for the trees and foliage, and blended strokes for the sky. The color palette is dominated by earthy greens, browns, blues, and whites. A path with figures and animals leads through the scene, transitioning into a softer focus towards the hill with the obelisk.
Salomon Gessner, Arcadian Landscape with an Obelisk, 1785, gouache on laid paper, Rudolf and Lore Heinemann Fund, 2002.67.1

Arcadian Landscape with an Obelisk

Salomon Gessner · 1785 · gouache on laid paper ·  Accession ID  2002.67.1
The image depicts two figures seated outdoors. On the left is a nude human with short hair. On the right is a mythological creature resembling a satyr, with human features from the waist up and goat features below. Both are seated in a lush, foliage-filled setting with a large tree trunk in the background.
Salomon Gessner, Two Satyrs in a Forest, 1777, etching on laid paper, Gift of John O'Brien, 1997.132.3

Two Satyrs in a Forest

Salomon Gessner · 1777 · etching on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1997.132.3
The image shows a woman standing next to a stone fountain in a garden, holding a jug. A child stands beside her, partially obscured by foliage. The background features a garden with climbing plants, bushes, and trees.
Salomon Gessner, Putto Visiting a Girl at a Fountain, 1771, etching on laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1999.100.13

Putto Visiting a Girl at a Fountain

Salomon Gessner · 1771 · etching on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1999.100.13
The image shows a clearing surrounded by dense foliage, with a group of nude figures gathered near a waterfall in a small stream. The landscape is depicted in monochromatic shades of black, white, and gray, with intricate brushstrokes. The background features a cluster of trees and a cloudy sky.
Salomon Gessner, Hylas and the Nymphs, 1771, etching on laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1999.100.14

Hylas and the Nymphs

Salomon Gessner · 1771 · etching on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1999.100.14
The image depicts a person standing in a forest. The person is holding a bow, with one hand on their hip. Their face has defined features, their eyes looking to the side, with a neutral expression on their lips. The person has curly, close-cropped hair, and is wearing draped clothing across one shoulder, revealing most of their torso and legs. There is a quiver of arrows on their back. The background shows dense foliage, and behind the person is a large, coiled dragon or mythical creature with a reptilian skull visible.
Salomon Gessner, Apollo with a Bow and Dragon, 1771, etching on laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1999.100.12

Apollo with a Bow and Dragon

Salomon Gessner · 1771 · etching on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1999.100.12
The image shows a nude figure standing gracefully by the water. The person is slightly leaning to the left, looking at a swan at their feet. They have short to mid-length curly hair and are holding a drapery around their body. Surroundings include foliage, rocky formations, and cascading water. A swan is standing in the water nearby.
Salomon Gessner, Leda and the Swan, 1770, etching on laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1999.100.11

Leda and the Swan

Salomon Gessner · 1770 · etching on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1999.100.11
The image shows two full-length female figures standing close together. One rests her hand on the other's shoulder. Both women have delicate facial features and soft curls in their hair. They are clothed in flowing fabrics covering the lower part of their bodies. They are near a classical stone fountain with intricate carvings. In the foreground, a small cherubic figure with wings plays music on a pipe. Lush greenery surrounds them, with dense trees and bushes extending into a forested background. Above the fountain, a small goat-legged figure, possibly a satyr, observes the scene. The setting evokes classical, mythological imagery.
Salomon Gessner, Eros with Three Girls at a Fountain, 1770, etching on laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1999.100.8

Eros with Three Girls at a Fountain

Salomon Gessner · 1770 · etching on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1999.100.8
The image features four nude individuals in a natural outdoor setting. The person on the left is standing upright on a raised surface, holding an object resembling a container or pot and leaning slightly toward the seated group. The seated figure in the center, with long wavy hair, looks toward the standing figure. Another individual, likely with their hair pulled back, is assisting the seated person. The last individual, sitting on a flat surface, has long hair cascading down their back and interacts with the center seated person. Dense foliage surrounds the scene, suggesting a forest with tall trees overhead and a body of water visible to the right.
Salomon Gessner, Girl Carrying a Basket of Fruit, 1770, etching on laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1999.100.7

Girl Carrying a Basket of Fruit

Salomon Gessner · 1770 · etching on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1999.100.7
The image shows three women from the waist up, standing closely together. The woman on the left stands in a profile view with her face turned towards the others, her hair styled up with gentle waves framing her face. She wears a sleeveless garment with a gathered waist. The woman in the middle is facing slightly towards the viewer, with curly hair cascading down her shoulders. Her facial features are soft with rounded cheeks, and her attire appears similar to that of the first woman. The woman on the right holds a basket filled with small sculptures and figures; her hair is shorter and styled in soft waves. She wears a dress with short sleeves and a gathered neckline. They are situated in an outdoor setting with a large urn adorned with sculpted figures and lush foliage visible behind them. In the background, there are relief sculptures of figures.
Salomon Gessner, Figurine Seller with Two Girls, 1770, etching on laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1999.100.9

Figurine Seller with Two Girls

Salomon Gessner · 1770 · etching on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1999.100.9
The image depicts mythical creatures in a natural setting. A creature with horns rests on a grassy knoll beneath a tree, observing a group in the nearby water. In a grotto or cave-like area, three figures appear, partially submerged in water. The scene is densely etched, capturing textures of trees, grass, and flowing water. The creatures, with humanoid features, add a mythical ambiance to the scene. The drawing utilizes light and shadow to create depth and mood.
Salomon Gessner, Three Sleeping Sprites with a Satyr, 1769, etching on laid paper, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1999.100.6

Three Sleeping Sprites with a Satyr

Salomon Gessner · 1769 · etching on laid paper ·  Accession ID  1999.100.6