456 - J. TISCHBEIN (*1722), Menelaus and Paris, 1757, Etching

J. TISCHBEIN (*1722), Menelaus and Paris, 1757, Etching Johann Heinrich Tischbein sen. (1722 Haina - 1789 Kassel): Menelaus and Paris, 1757, Etching Technique: Etching on Paper Catalogue Raisonné: , Inscription: Lower right signed in the printing plate: "JHTischbein Pinx et Sculp.". At the lower part inscribed in the printing plate: "Menlaus et Paris. le Tableau est dans le Cabinet de S.A.Sr Mgr le Landgrave de Hesse Cassell.". Lower right dated: "1757". Date: 1757 Description: Genre scene from ancient Greek mythology with a full-length depiction of warriors in front of a city. The scene tells the story of the legendary abduction of "Beautiful Helen", the wife of Menelaus, King of Sparta, by the king's son Paris. In the myth, the abduction to Troy was the cause of the beginning of the Trojan War. This scene depicts the duel between Menelaus and Paris, which takes place at the gates of Troy and only comes to a successful conclusion thanks to the intervention of the gods - Venus on the left envelops Paris in a cloud and takes him to Helena's chamber. Literature: Nagler, G. K.: Neues allgemeines Künstler-Lexikon (Bd.1-25). Nachrichten von dem Leben und de Werken der Maler, Bildhauer, Baumeister, Kupferstecher, Lithographen, Formschneider, Zeichner, Medailleire, Elfenbeinarbeiter etc.; Wien 1924; cat. no. 4. Cat. Rais. No.:. Keywords: antiquising, warrior, antiquity, Greece, Homer, epic, 18th century, Classicism, Mythology, France, Size: Paper: 21,8 cm x 17,1 cm (8,6 x 6,7 in), Plate: 17,7 cm x 13,7 cm (7 x 5,4 in) Condition: Rather good condition. The sheet is discoloured and slightly stained due to age. Small brown spots are visible in the centre right. There is a full-page vertical crease in the centre. Some rubbing is visible in the image. There is a restored tear in the left margin. The lower left corner of the sheet has been restored.