Bilder Friedrich Justin Bertuch (1747-1822) – Scenes of a Spanish Bullfight – Hand-coloured etching (1790)

Beskrivning

"Melanges" This hand-coloured etching illustrates three distinct stages of a traditional Spanish bullfight within an arena. The upper register depicts a picador on horseback engaging the bull alongside a torero with a red cape. The middle register shows multiple participants in the ring, including banderilleros attempting to place colourful darts. The lower register features the final encounter between the matador and the bull. This plate was published in the Bilderbuch fur Kinder, an extensive educational series printed in Weimar by the Verlag des Industrie-Comptoirs. The series was designed to provide children with a visual encyclopedia of nature, geography, and world cultures.

Friedrich Justin Bertuch was a prominent German publisher, author, and entrepreneur who played a central role in the cultural life of Weimar. He is most famous for establishing the Bilderbuch fur Kinder, which became one of the most significant educational works of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Bertuch aimed to combine entertainment with instruction, using high-quality illustrations to expand the horizons of young readers. His publishing house was a major employer in the region and helped establish Weimar as a hub for scientific and geographical literature. Throughout his career, he remained dedicated to the systematic classification of knowledge through accessible visual media.

Artist or Maker: Friedrich Justin Bertuch.

Dimensions: Approximately 24 cm x 20 cm.

Medium: Hand-coloured etching.

Date: 1790.

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.