Georg Philipp Rugendas the Elder

1666–1742, Augsburg

The painter, draughtsman and printmaker, Georg Philipp Rugendas the Elder, is exceptional among the Augsburg artists of his time. He was taught the art of engraving by his father at an early age and continued his artistic training during several journeys abroad. Rugendas travelled to Rome in 1689, stayed in Vienna for two years and subsequently spent a lengthy period in Venice. In the autumn of 1693 he returned to Rome, where he was accepted under the bent-name of “Schild” as a member of the Bentvueghels, a community of predominantly Dutch and Flemish artists. Following the death of his father he returned to Augsburg in 1695 and stayed there for the rest of his life.