Georg Christian Eimmart the Younger

Georg Eimmart came from a southern German family of artists and was a man of extremely versatile talent. He trained as a painter and engraver with Joachim von Sandrart and also distinguished himself by producing scientific publications in the field of mathematics and astronomy. From 1658 Eimmart was active as an artist in Regensburg and Nuremberg, where he was appointed co-director (together with Sandrart) of the newly founded painting academy in 1674. He was to retain his ties with the Franconian capital until he died. Evidently his reputation as a scientist – Eimmart published numerous astronomical writings, designed scientific instruments and ran his own observatory – overshadowed his reputation as an artist, for in the Nuremberg register of deaths he is mentioned merely as "mathematicus". Nevertheless his printed work is very extensive. The present portrait of Georg Pfründt (1603–1663), an equally versatile artistic personality who worked as an engraver, portrait medallist, sculptor and architect in Lyons, Paris and southern Germany, is taken from a painting by Nicolaes de Helt. Andresen describes the print as rare. Although Eimmart has used a simple, basic etching technique to transfer the painted original into the black-and-white medium, the face of the sitter is very finely modelled and full of life and character. Pfründt gazes com-pellingly at the viewer with his large dark eyes, and the gesture with which he points his hand at us emphasizes the forcefulness of his presence.

A very fine, contrasting impression with margins around the borderline. Slight aging, otherwise in perfect condition. From the collection of the Prince of Liechtenstein.