Franz Edmund Weirotter’s etching, “Stone Sarcophagus and Ancient Architectural Fragments”, 1767

Franz Edmund Weirotter (aka Franz Edmund Weyrotter) (1733–1771)

“Stone Sarcophagus and Ancient Architectural Fragments” (aka “Steinsarkophag und antike Architekturbruchstűcke”), 1767, plate 2 from the series, “Fifth Series of Different Regions of Old Buildings consists of 24 Sheets” (aka “Fűnfte Folge von Unterschiedlichen Gegenden Alter Gebäude bestehand in 24 Blat”).

Etching on laid paper trimmed around the image borderline with narrow margins.

Size: (sheet) 6.8 x 17.8 cm; (image borderline) 6.6 x 17.6 cm.

Numbered in plate outside the image borderline: (left) “2”.

State i (of i); possibly a lifetime impression (based on the quality of line showing no sign of wear to the printing plate).

Winterberg 175 (Thilo Winterberg 1998, “Franz Edmund Weirotter, der Landschaftsradierer”, Heidelberg, Galeria Palatina, p. 376, cat. no. 175).

Thilo Winterberg (1998) offers the following description of this print: (transl.) “In the left part of the picture there is a rough antique stone sarcophagus next to the fragments of different parts of the building in the middle of the picture. On the right in the foreground two men are sitting on a block of rock and are talking. On the right edge in the distance, you can see a round temple” (p. 376).

Note that the British Museum describes the two men in the foreground at right as “shepherds” (see https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1854-1020-951), but to my eyes, the figures look like infantry men as the left figure has a plumed hat and the right figure seems to be holding a spear with a tasselled point rather than a shepherd’s crook.  

Condition: a richly inked and well-printed impression showing no sign of wear to the printing plate, trimmed unevenly around the image borderline with small margins. The sheet is in a near pristine condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, significant stains, foxing or signs of handling.

I am selling this very fine impression in near faultless condition executed by one of the major Austrian printmakers of 18^th century, for the total cost of AU$232 (currently US$158.18/EUR151.71/GBP130.69 at the time of this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world (but not, of course, any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries).

If you are interested in purchasing this romantic vision of ancient ruins—note the memento mori (Latin for "Remember that you must die”) symbolism posed by the overgrown massive stone sarcophagus at left and its possible link to the figures (soldiers?) at right—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.