Franz Anton Leitenstorffer

Franz Anton von Leitenstorffer received his artistic education under Paul Troger in Vienna and later under Giovanni Battista Piazzetta in Venice. Between 1739 and 1744 he worked as an assistant to Sebastiano Conca in Rome, before moving to Innsbruck, where his paintings were well received. After periods in Augsburg and other German cities, Leitenstorffer worked as a professor and as a painter to the electoral court in Mannheim until his death.

Nagler and Heller-Andresen record only three etchings by the artist, all made in Rome while he was working in the studio of Sebastiano Conca. The remains of the Temple of Castor and Pollux in the background of our print refer to the artist’s stay in Rome. The free, almost crude etching technique suggests that this print was intended as a trial piece in this medium rather than for commercial purposes, which may also explain the ex­quisite rarity of etchings by Leittenstorffer. A very fine impression with even margins. Minor ageing, otherwise in very good condition.