Johann Georg Wille

Musiciens Ambulans (Strolling Musicians)

Johann Georg Wille's original engraving, "Musiciens Ambulans" (Strolling Musicians) was engraved and published in 1764. This impression is a first published edition, printed upon thick eighteenth century laid paper and signed, titled, dated and dedicated within the lower margin by J. G. Wille.

"Musiciens Ambulans" is one of Johann Georg Wille's largest and most famous engravings and beautifully demonstrates his mastery at capturing expressions and delineating the textures of all compositional elements. Early impressions of Wille's art (such as this original engraving) clearly indicate why his fame was so great.

Musiciens Ambulans Original Engraving by the French artist Johann Georg Wille also listed as J. G. Wille

Musiciens Ambulans (Strolling Musicians)

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:	Musiciens Ambulans (Strolling Musicians)
Engraver:	Wille, Johann Georg (Bieberthal, Konigsberg, 1715 - Paris, 1808)
Designer:	Dietrich
Date:	1764
Medium:	Original 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, Johann Georg 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, Johann Georg 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.
	"Musiciens Ambulans" (Strolling Musicians) is one of J. G. Wille's largest and most famous engravings. Published by Wille in 1764 it beautifully demonstrates his mastery at capturing expressions and delineating the textures of all compositional elements. Early impressions of Johann Georg Wille's art (such as this original example) clearly indicate why his fame was so great.
Raisonne:	G. K. Nagler, Neus allgemeines Kunstler-Lexikon, Leipzig, Schwarzenburg & Schumann, Vol. 24, pp. 381 & 382.
	Catalogue #156. Fourth State of Five.
	Nagler relates that the first published edition contained the incorrect spelling of "Cour Electoral" in the lower left margin. This was subsequently corrected to "Cour Electorale" for the later editions. This impression, therefore, is from the first published edition.
Size:	18 1/4 X 12 3/4 (Sizes in inches are approximate, height preceding width of plate-mark or image.)
	Framed and Matted with 100% Archival Materials
	View larger Framed Image

Condition:	Printed upon thick eighteenth century laid paper and with margins trimmed to the image, as was usual for engravings from this period. Signed, titled, dated and dedicated within the lower margin of the plate by J. G. Wille. Containing slight scuff marks, most notably a vertical scratch on the chest of the violinist and a horizontal scratch within the upper left arch, else a magnificent, early impression bearing all the fine lines and tones of the first published edition. "Musiciens Ambulans" (Strolling Musicians) is a prime example of the art of Johann Georg Wille 'J. G. Wille', one of the greatest engravers of the eighteenth century.
Price:	Sold - The price is no longer available.
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