J. HAID (*1704) after BERGMÜLLER (*1688), Johann Georg Bergmüller, around 1744, Mezzotint Johann Jakob Haid (1704 Kleineislingen - 1767 Augsburg) after Johann Georg Bergmüller (1688 Türkheim - 1762 Augsburg): Self-portrait of the Baroque painter Johann Georg Bergmüller, c. 1744, Mezzotint Technique: Mezzotint on Paper, mounted on Paper Inscription: At the lower part signed in the printing plate: "I. G. Bergmüller inv. et del. / I. I. Haid sculp. et excud. A.V.". Lower right inscribed in the printing plate: "Ioannes Gergivs Bergmüller / Serenmi. et Remi. Principis et / Episc. Avg. Pictor Avl., nec non / Academiæ Diagraphices Director ibid. / Nat9. Anno MDCLXXXVIII. Die XVta. Aprilis". Date: c. 1744 Description: This portrait shows Johann Georg Bergmüller, one of the most influential Baroque painters in southern Germany, who portrayed himself here and provided the model for this mezzotint. Born into a Swabian family of carpenters, Bergmüller learnt his father's trade and was already involved in the construction of the electoral residence in Türkheim as a boy. Impressed by his artistic talent, Duke Maximilian Philipp took the young Bergmüller in and recommended him for training with the Munich court painter Johann Andreas Wolff. After his first major commissions and a study trip to the Netherlands, he settled in Augsburg in 1712, from where he produced numerous Baroque altarpiece designs and coordinated the fresco painting of many southern German churches as well as secular house façades. In addition, the versatile artist was involved in art theoretical studies and published his own work on the theory of human proportions. In order to advertise widely and earn additional income, he worked as a draughtsman for graphic prints, including the self-portrait engraved by the renowned mezzotint artist Johann Jakob Haid. The composition of the portrait combines the depiction of the artist with important attributes of his character, such as the references to faith and church service, his proportion-theoretical work and individual painting tools, with Bergmüller's own way of constellating figures, emphasising important people and aspects through eye relationships and gestures. Person: Depicted: Johann Georg Bergmüller (1688 Türkheim - 1762 Augsburg) Was an important Baroque painter. He painted mainly in fresco technique, but also on canvas. Keywords: Johann Georg Bergmüller; Baroque painter; southern Germany; self-portrait; mezzotint; Swabian carpenter family; electoral residence; Türkheim; Duke Maximilian Philipp; training; Munich court painter; Johann Andreas Wolff; Netherlands; Augsburg; Baroque altars; church frescoes; house facades; studies in art theory; theory of proportions; publisher; draughtsman; prints; Johann Jakob Haid; composition; attributes; faith; church servants; painter's tools; constellation of figures; visual relationships; gestures, 18th century, Classicism, Depiction of Artists, Germany, Size: Paper: 40,9 cm x 27,5 cm (16,1 x 10,8 in)