604 - J. KLEIN (1792–1875), The Child-Eater Fountain in Bern, 1820, Etching

J. KLEIN (1792–1875), The Child-Eater Fountain in Bern, 1820, Etching Johann Adam Klein (1792 Nuremberg – 1875 Munich): The Child-Eater Fountain in Bern, 1820, etching Technique: Etching on paper Catalogue raisonné: , 250 II/II Stamp: Collector’s stamp on the reverse, Lugt no.: 3976. Johann Nepomuk Seiler (1793–1876). Munich. 19th century Inscription: Signed in the lower part of the printing plate: “J. A. Klein f. Roma 1820.” Inscribed in the lower part of the printing plate: “der Kindlifresser=Brunnen in Bern.” Date: 1820 Description: Depicts a statue of a man in traditional Swiss attire sitting on the fountain column, accompanied by several children, one of whom he is eating. The column is fluted and features four spouts with running water, as well as a capital decorated with ram’s heads and children’s heads. A procession of costumed bears is depicted along the lower edge. Three horses are being watered at the trough; a boy is sitting on the one in front and talking to a girl. The rest of the figurative elements consist of two other men, three women, two boys, and two dogs. From the 1844 edition by C. H. Zeh. Provenance: Johann Nepomuk Seiler Collection Bibliography: Jahn, C.: The Work of Johann Adam Klein. Painter and Copper Engraver in Munich, Member of the Royal Academy of Arts in Berlin, Recipient of the Cross of Merit of the Ducal Saxon Ernestine House Order; Munich 1863. Cat. Rais. No.: 250 II/II. Keywords: Fountain, Switzerland, sculpture, traditional costumes, farmers, maid, rider, animals, horses, dogs, 19th century, Romanticism, Architecture, Switzerland, Bern (Bern), Size: Paper: 23.0 cm x 23.0 cm (9.1 x 9.1 in), Plate: 20.0 cm x 20.4 cm (7.9 x 8 in), Image size: 15.5 cm x 19.5 cm (6.1 x 7.7 in) Condition: Very good condition. Very good condition and a beautiful print. Occasional faint foxing spots are visible.