Cecilia en Fidel worden verrast door de komst van Mortimer

About this artwork

ets; proefdruk

Art Historical Context

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowie (1726–1801), a prolific Prussian etcher and director of the Berlin Academy of, was renowned for his delicate illustrations of literary scenes, moral tales, and life during the late Enlightenment. Created in 1787, this intimate etching—measuring just 109 mm high by 66 mm—depicts *Cecilia en Fidel worden verr door de komst van* ("Cecilia and Fidel Sur by the Arrival of Mortimer As a proof print (*proefdruk*), it represents an early trial impression, offering a rare glimpse into the artist's meticulous refinement process before final publication. Chodowiecki's etching technique shines here through fine, expressive lines that convey surprise and emotion in the figures' faces and gestures, hallmarks of his Rococo-influenced style with emerging Neoclassical clarity. Likely illustrating a dramatic moment from a contemporary novel or play popular in German-Dutch cultural circles, the work reflects 18th-century fascination with narrative intrigue, sentiment, and human relationships. These small-scale prints were often reproduced in books, making art accessible to a wide audience and bridging elite literature with bourgeois homes. This proof's survival highlights Chodowiecki's immense output—over 2,000 etchings—and his role in democratizing visual storytelling during a transformative era. A charming window into 1780s European sensibilities!

About the Artist

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki · 1726–1801

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki (1726–1801) was a German painter and printmaker of Polish-Huguenot descent who became the most celebrated graphic artist in 18th-century Germany. Born in Danzig (now Gdańsk), he created approximately 2,000 etchings that serve as an invaluable visual record of German bourgeois life during the Enlightenment. Largely self-taught, Chodowiecki moved to Berlin in 1743 and ach...