Vlijtigheid

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

**Vlijtigheid (Diligence)** Daniel Nikolaus Chodcki, 1784* *Etching, 61 × 30 mm* Daniel Nikolaus Chodowie, a prolific German engraver and illustrator active in Berlin during the Enlightenment era, created *Vlijtigheid*—Dutch for "Diligence"—in 1784. Renowned for his intricate moralistic scenes and book illustrations, Chodowie often depicted everyday virtues and social commentary in a style blending Rococo elegance with emerging realism. This small etching likely embodies the period's emphasis on personal industry and moral uprightness, themes central to 18th-century European thought as society shifted toward rational self-improvement. Etching allowed Chodowiecki to achieve fine lines and expressive detail in this miniature format, making it ideal for intimate collector's items or series production. At just 61 mm high and 30 mm wide, it exemplifies the portability and affordability of prints, which democratized art during the time. The verso bears a collector's mark (Lugt 2228), a stamped provenance linking it to esteemed 19th- or early 20th-century connoisseurs, underscoring its enduring value among print enthusiasts. This delicate work invites us to reflect on diligence as a timeless virtue, preserved through Chodowiecki's masterful technique and a rich chain of ownership.

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...