J. E. W., German/Swiss School (18th century)
Narcissus jonquilla
1791. 13 x 9 inches. Dark brown body colour on prepared paper. Inscribed "N.2...Stück" and "am 9ten Aprill 1791--nach der Natur ge[zeichnet?] von JEW," ink collector's stamp "Linel-Smlg. No." followed by pencilled number "1046" (all on verso).
Provenance: Linel (ink collector's stamp on verso).
A high quality image that clearly is drawn from life, as the inscription claims. The artist's use of a dark prepared ground recalls the work of Barbara Regina Dietsch and her family. A search of Nissen's index of artists reveals one possible name: the Swiss artist Johann Emmanuel Wyss (1782-1837). However, the maturity and assurance shown in the present drawing would seem to rule him out: he could have been no older than nine in April 1791.
Item #3898
Price: $1,600.00