Ridinger, Johann Elias (Ulm 1698 – Augsburg 1767). The Wolf to catch in the Pit with the Sheep. Against the scenery of a mountainous landscape with stock of trees the wolf trap. Erected in its midst a pole with a wheel on top on which a lamb lies whose bleating baited four wolves, the first one already falling into the pit. Pen and brown ink with grey wash. Ca. 1729. Inscribed in graphite on the back: Der Wolf in der Grube zu fangen mit dem Schafe. 292-295 x 422-423 mm.

Ills. erlebnis ridinger 1698-1998 p. 17. – On light hand-made paper with margins up to 17 mm. Pinhead-like hole, smoothed folds athwart and along resp., and of the minimal mould stains on the back only one visible on the recto. By and large somewhat time-marked, but practically not impairing the fine general impression.

Pictorial  absolutely  completely  executed  wonderful  work

as original drawing for the equally named etching Th. 41  before  being re-drawn in reverse for the transfer on the plate. – The large version of the two wolf pit sheets for the set “Princely Hunting Pleasures” published since 1729 and presumably – comp. with Thienemann pp. 273 + 274, a 41 – from the large but insufficiantly described Weigel stock based on Ridinger’s estate. In the chalk and pencil variant listed as 492 in Weigel’s catalogue of 1869 – no. 102 in the sale at Wawra in Vienna in 1890 – the one of the wolves obviously not yet falling into the pit.

By what variety Ridinger prepared his plates is proven besides the works for Th. 41 by e.g. the four variants known here for the upright smaller version of the Princely Hunting Pleasures’ wolf pit – Th. 18 – which despite equal design differ in their content. Three of these dated 1728, two of which, one sold here, with “January” added.

The sheet here originates from the “Group of the Pictorial” of a high quality Westphalian collection disolved in the 70s and bringing back on the market besides sketches and proofs several magnificiant unique drawings, amongst a block of 9 drawings for the “Ways to capture the Wild Animals” whose extraordinary charme is defined by their wash. A technique the master was able to gain the whole fullness of light and contrast of. Originals executed like these in connection to a print belong to the greatest rarities in Ridinger’s work.
Offer no. 14,976  /  price on request

„ Habe heute Ihre Sendung dankend erhalten. Freue mich schon, das Buch meinem Mann … zu Weihnachten zu schenken. Liebe Grüße aus … am Dachstein “

(Frau K. G., 12. September 2007)