{"product_id":"portrait-of-antoine-pesne-georg-friedrich-schmidt","title":"Portrait of Antoine Pesne - Georg Friedrich Schmidt","description":"\u003cp\u003eA refined eighteenth-century portrait engraving by Georg Friedrich Schmidt, depicting the Prussian court painter Antoine Pesne at his easel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis print is a masterful example of eighteenth-century reproductive engraving, executed by Georg Friedrich Schmidt after a self-portrait by the French painter Antoine Pesne. Schmidt, a Berlin-born artist who spent significant time in Paris, was highly regarded for his technical precision and his ability to translate the painterly qualities of oil on canvas into the linear language of the copperplate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe subject, Antoine Pesne (1683-1757), was a figure of considerable status in the Prussian court, serving as the Premier Peintre to Frederick the Great. In this composition, Pesne is depicted in profile, turning his head to engage the viewer with a calm, professional gaze. He stands before an easel, his hand resting near the frame, which identifies him as a working artist rather than merely a courtier. The texture of his velvet coat, the lace at his cuffs, and the powdered wig are rendered with meticulous attention to detail, demonstrating the sophisticated cross-hatching techniques that defined Schmidt's practice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe inscription at the base of the print provides essential historical context, noting that the original painting was executed by Pesne himself, while the engraving was completed by his friend, Schmidt, in 1752. This collaborative spirit between painter and engraver was common during the period, as it allowed artists to circulate their likenesses and professional achievements across Europe. The dark, atmospheric background provides a stark contrast to the illuminated figure, drawing focus to the face and the expressive quality of the hands. This work remains a fine example of the portrait tradition in the mid-eighteenth century, capturing both the individual character of the sitter and the technical rigour of the printmaking craft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/en-nz\/products\/apotheosis-of-hercules-giovanni-domenico-tiepolo\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eApotheosis of Hercules - Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo — Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/en-nz\/products\/the-rebuke-of-adam-and-eve-charles-joseph-natoire-1\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eThe Rebuke of Adam and Eve - Charles Joseph Natoire — Charles Joseph Natoire\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Georg Friedrich Schmidt","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58464700924239,"sku":null,"price":220.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58464700989775,"sku":null,"price":220.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58464701088079,"sku":null,"price":290.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58464701120847,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58464701186383,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Portrait-of-Antoine-Pesne_Poster_CompositorV1_1786281613891.jpg?v=1786590243","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.com\/en-nz\/products\/portrait-of-antoine-pesne-georg-friedrich-schmidt","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}