Carl Wilhelm Kolbe, “La Cascade”, 1807, after Salomon Gessner

Carl Wilhelm Kolbe (the elder) (1759–1835)

“La Cascade” (aka “Four Nymphs at a Large Waterfall”), 1807 (ref. for date see, Norbert Michels [ed] 2009, “Carl Wilhelm Kolbe d.Ä. [1759-1835]: Künstler, Philologe, Patriot”, Petersberg, Michael Imhof, p. 299, cat. no. 136 [https://archive.org/details/carlwilhelmkolbe0000unse/page/298/mode/2up]), after a gouache painting by Salomon Gessner (1730–1788). I understand that the print is from a series of twenty-five engravings by Carl Wilhelm Kolbe after drawings and gouaches by Salomon Gessner, initially printed and published by Heinrich Gessner (1768–1813) in Zurich in 1805 in the folio, “Tableaux en gouache, demi-gouache et dessins au lavis de Salomon Gessner”, and later published in 1811 in, “Collection des tableaux en gouache et des dessins de Salomon Gessner” (see https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200474585; see also the explanatory note by the Rijksmuseum regarding this print: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200475173).

Etching on wove paper.

Size: (sheet) 59.5 x 42.2 cm; (platemark) 46.7 x 35.8 cm; (image borderline) 39.8 x 28.4 cm.

Lettered in plate below the image borderline: (left) “Peint par Salomon Gessner.”; (centre) “LA CASCADE/ le tableau en gouache se trouve dans le cabinet de Madame Usteri née Lavater à Zuric.”; (right) Gravé par Guill : Kolbe.”

Martens 297 (Ulf Martens 1978, “Der Zeichner und Radierer Carl Wilhelm Kolbe”, Berlin, Gebr. Mann, cat. no. 297).

See also the descriptions of this print offered by Pictura Antique Prints and the British Museum (no image): https://pictura-prints.com/product/antique-master-print-waterfall-flute-music-rest-kolbe-gessner-1805/; https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1994-1106-1-15.   

Condition: a richly inked and well-printed (near faultless) impression with generously wide margins. Beyond a supported tear in the margin at lower right the sheet is in an excellent/near pristine condition for its large size and age with no holes, folds or significant stains.

I am selling this superb impression of a large and very romantic etching showing an idyllic Arcadian scene with mythological figures relaxing beside a waterfall—for the total cost of AU $348 (currently US $219.71/ EUR 209.38/ GBP 176.01 at the time of posting this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries. Note that payment is in Australian dollars (AU $348) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this exceptionally beautiful etching, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.