90 - [Switzerland]. ABERLI, Johann-Ludwig.

[Switzerland]. ABERLI, Johann-Ludwig. [Costumes of Bern and Peasants from the Surrounding Area]. (ca. 1770–1780). 4 small in-4 sheets (from a set of 6), on laid paper with a watermark (fleur-de-lis and cup), finely engraved on copper in black and delicately painted in watercolor (very slight and discreet soiling along the margins). A rare set of 4 hand-watercolored copper engravings, illustrating with precise and expressive drawings the costumes and faces of the inhabitants of Bern and its surroundings in the late 18th century. Based on drawings by Johann Ludwig Aberli (1723–1786), finely engraved by B. A. Dunker (1746–1807), who signed two of the figures. "With privilege" engraved. Unnumbered. Titles include: Peasant Woman, Servant in Bern; Peasant Woman from Aargau; Peasant from the Vicinity of Lake Murten; Peasant from the Vicinity of Bern. Fine examples. A pioneer of the genre, Aberli began drawing and publishing engraved series as early as 1773, notably these *Peasants from the Bern Area*. Dunker, a German engraver and painter based in Bern, was part of Aberli’s circle and engraved several of his genre scenes and depictions of traditional costumes, which were highly popular among early European tourists eager for Swiss souvenirs. Colas, I, 16.