Johann Christoph Erhard “The Horseman Asking for Directions”, 1817

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.