Johann Georg Wille

Le Fumeur (The Smoker)

Johann Georg Wille's "Le Fumeur" (The Smoker) was designed and engraved in 1741. Unlike his highly finished, formal compositions it is an almost satirical portrayal of a mid seventeenth century smoker. Actually, the title of the etching might be misleading as the etching portrays an ailing aristocrat self-administering his own somewhat suspicious medications (see the open book lying at his feet). Besides the noxious fumes he inhales from his pipe his elderly servant stands near him with a prepared concoction of liquids from the vials and jugs behind her. The pained expression on her face indicates that the medication is not pleasantly scented. Our patient, therefore, has fallen victim to one of the many quack medical treatments of the day.

"Le Fumeur" (The Smoker) is an original etching and engraving by one of the most eminent engravers of the eighteenth century, Johann Georg Wille. This impression is printed upon thick laid paper as published in Paris in 1801. It is signed and dated within the plate by J. G. Wille.

Le Fumeur Original Engraving by the French artist Johann Georg Wille also listed as J. G. Wille

Le Fumeur (The Smoker)

View other original works of art by Johann Georg Wille.

Johann Georg Wille (Bieberthal, Konigsberg, 1715 - Paris, 1808)
#	Image	Title & Artist	Medium	Date	Notes	-
01-		Le Fumeur (The Smoker) designed and egraved by Johann Georg Wille	Original Etching and Engraving	1741(First Published Edition: 1801)	Signed and dated within the plate by J. G. Wille. Bearing an unidentified collector's stamp on the verso.	Availabe
02.-		Musiciens Ambulans (Strolling Musicians) by Johann Georg Wille designed by Dietrich	Original Engraving	1764	Signed, titled, dated and dedicated within the lower margin of the plate by J. G. Wille	Sold
03.-		Sapeur Des Gardes Suisses (The Swiss Guard) designed and egraved by Johann Georg Wille	Original Line Engraving	1779	Signed, titled, dated and dedicated within the plate by J. G. Wille.	Sold

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Title:	Le Fumeur (The Smoker)
Artist:	Wille, Johann Georg (Bieberthal, Konigsberg, 1715 - Paris, 1808)
Date:	1741(First Published Edition: 1801)
Medium:	Original Etching and Engraving
Note:	Johann Georg Wille 'J. G. Wille': One of the most eminent engravers of the eighteenth century, Johann Georg Wille learned to engrave as a youthful apprentice to a gunmaker. His talents were soon recognized and in 1736 he was sent to Paris to engrave some plates after Rigaud. Most of Wille's early art was in the genre of portrait engraving. By 1750, however, Wille had established himself as a leading engraver of historical and genre subjects, particularly after the designs of contemporary Dutch and German painters. Wille's unsurpassed ability to render form and texture earned him many honours. During his career he was awarded the lucrative titles of Engraver to the King of France, Engraver to the Emperor of Germany and Engraver to the King of Denmark. He was elected an Academician of the French Academy in 1761 and was also a member of the Academies of Dresden, Berlin, Augsburg, Vienna and Rouen.
	As the eighteenth century drew to a close the changing French political climate was not kind to J. G. Wille. Like many persons associated with French royalty, Wille lost his property and much of his possessions during the French Revolution. Failing eyesight also contributed to his poverty. His last engraving bears the date of 1790.
	Le Fumeur was designed and engraved by Wille in 1741. Unlike his highly finished, formal compositions it is an almost satirical portrayal of a mid seventeenth century smoker. Actually, the title of the etching might be misleading as the etching portrays an ailing aristocrat self-administering his own somewhat suspicious medications (see the open book lying at his feet). Besides the noxious fumes he inhales from his pipe his elderly servant stands near him with a prepared concoction of liquids from the vials and jugs behind her. The pained expression on her face indicates that the medication is not pleasantly scented. Our patient, therefore, has fallen victim to one of the many quack medical treatments of the day.
	Le Fumeur was not published until 1801when it was printed in a portfolio entitled, Variete de gravures faites en differentes epoques ... par Jean Georges Wille, actuellement Doyen des Graveurs de l'Europe. In total the set contained thirty-six engravings by Wille bearing dates from 1738 to 1761. None of the engravings, including this original example, were previously published.
Raisonne:	G. K. Nagler, Neus allgemeines Kunstler-Lexikon, Leipzig, Schwarzenburg & Schumann, Vol. 24, p. 392.
	Nagler, Catalogue #121. First and Only State.
	Nagler lists this etching under the German title of Der Raucher in einer Landschaft.
	Le Baron Roger Portalis & Henri Beraldi, Les Graveurs du Dix-Huitieme Siecle, Margand et Fatout, Paris, 1882, Vol. 3, p. 703. Catalogue #30.
Size:	2 1/2 X 3 5/8 (Sizes in inches are approximate, height preceding width of plate-mark or image.)
	Matted With 100% Archival Materials
Buy Now	Price: $295.00 US
Condition:	Printed upon thick laid paper and with margins extending about one inch from the plate-mark on all sides as published in Paris in 1801. Signed and dated within the plate by J. G. Wille. Bearing an unidentified collector's stamp on the verso. Apart from slight staining and spotting (particularly on the verso) this is a finely printed impression and in good condition throughout. With its strong commentary upon the medical profession, Le Fumeur represents a valuable example of the famous eighteenth century art of Johann Georg Wille 'J. G. Wille'.
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