Georg Friedrich Schmidt

The present work is a masterly, etched half-length portrait of the proud Dresden court jeweller, Johann Melchior Dinglinger, whom Antoine Pesne had painted in oil in 1721. The outstanding feature of the portrait is the minutely detailed rendering of the texture of the fur hat and fur collar, which appeals directly to the haptic sense of the beholder, stirring a desire to touch the material. Dinglinger’s elegant and extravagant clothing, which Schmidt brings out particularly well using chiaroscuro contrasts, reflects his high social standing. Having arrived in Dresden as a journeyman in 1692, he advanced to the position of court jeweller to Augustus the Strong within the space of just five years. Dinglinger produced unique items of magnificent splendour in his workshop, where he employed a total of 14 journeymen. His major work is The Court at Delhi on the Birthday of Grand Moghul Aureng-Zeb, an ensemble consisting of 132 golden und enamelled figures, 5,223 diamonds, 189 rubies, 175 emeralds, 53 pearls and a sapphire, which is kept to the present day in the Grünes Gewölbe in Dresden. A superb, crisp and differentiated impression with wide margins around the distinct platemark. Remains of old hinges on the verso, otherwise in excellent condition.