Johann
Christoph Erhard
(1795–1822)
“The
Horseman Asking for Directions” (or
“Der nach dem Wege fragende Reiter”), 1817
Aloys
Apell (1816) describes this print (in translation):
“Along
a stream, which begins its course from the middle ground on the left, where
several houses of a village are visible, and continues to the foreground on the
same side, the road, bordered by wooden railings and beautiful trees and
enlivened by three figures, leads to the foreground on the right. Here, next to
an oak tree, one sees a horseman facing right, who, unaware of the way ahead,
is being greeted by a man. On the far right, on a rise in the second middle
ground, stands a shepherd with a small flock of sheep. (pp. 58–59, cat. no. 82)”
Apell also advises that this plate is unfinished and comments
that it was initially self-published by the artist, along with the etching “The
Hunter at the Wooden Footbridge” (Der Jäger auf dem hölzernen Steg), and published
by the artist's brother from his posthumous estate (Nachlass) (p. 58, cat. no. 81).
Technical Details & Condition:
Etching with pale plate tone on fine wove paper with
wide margins.
A richly inked, crisp, and evenly printed impression—nearly
faultless. Aside from a minor printer’s crease in the margin at upper-left—visible
when the sheet is held against a light—the sheet is in excellent condition,
free of tears, holes, abrasions, or stains.
Dimensions:
• Sheet: 26.1 x 34.1 cm
• Platemark: 10.9 x 20.3 cm
In-Plate Lettering:
• Lower-right edge: “JC Erhard inv. 1817”
References:
• Apell 82 (Aloys
Apell, “Das werk von Johann Christoph Erhard, maler und radirer ... mit
einer biographie und dem bildness des künstlers”, 1866, Dresden, Apell, pp.
58–59, cat. no. 82)—Available online via Archive.org: https://archive.org/details/daswerkvonjohann00apel/page/58/mode/2up
• Barneby’s Auctions: https://www.barnebys.com/auctions/lot/j-erhard-1795-1822-the-rider-asking-after-the-way-1817-etching-MAiK5LJ-629866693
Price & Shipping:
AU$298 (approximately US$206.01
/ €181.10 / £154.65), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and
taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.
If you are interested in acquiring this fascinating
glimpse into everyday life around Vienna in the early 1800s, please contact me
directly at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a
secure PayPal invoice for a seamless transaction.
Sadly, just three years after completing this print,
Erhard suffered a severe mental health crisis. Following a period of intense
hallucinations, he made a first suicide attempt in 1820 and tragically ended
his own life two years later, passing away at only 27 years of age.
Note on Companion Works:
This is the second etching by Johann Christoph Erhard that I have listed; see “The
Russian Infantryman” (1815) (https://www.printsandprinciples.com/2023/07/johann-christoph-erhards-etching.html).
Where that prior, confronting image epitomised the artist’s intense engagement
with sketching Russian military personnel during the Napoleonic era, the
present scene reflects another core strength of his oeuvre. This peaceful
landscape, centred around a traveller seeking directions, beautifully
highlights Erhard's mastery of equine anatomy—a skill he refined through
extensive studies of cavalry and working horses in the immediate post-war
years.
