Engraving by E. M. Geyger after Sadro Botticelli.
German-born artist E. M. Geyger (1861～1941) engraved La Primavera (c. 1482), a masterpiece by Botticelli who was a genius of Italian pictures of the Renaissance. Only 50 copies were printed and published in Paris in 1894. And now in 2023, we at e-Art are now to publish it as a replica in the limited edition of 90.
Features
Virtuosity is evident in the workmanship on the engraving
As a printmaker, Geyger commuted to The Uffizi Galleries to sketch La Primavera by Botticelli with the purpose of engraving it. It was believed that engraving each square centimeter took him one full day, even with his astonishingly superb skills and power of patience.
As a result, his transcendent drawing technique prevails in every corner of the picture. Viewers eyes will be captured by the delicate and intricate descriptions of human figures and nature done by the elegantly flowing lines.
A miracle that the print survived through the two World Wars
Many art pieces have been scattered and lost in the social chaos and destruction caused by the two World Wars in Europe, where towns and cities turned to battle grounds. Print works such as engravings were easier to move or to display (when compared to paintings). In many cases, print works had been stored in urban private residences, many of which were destroyed or looted under air bombing, firing, or plunder. Many were lost or still missing.
This particular print had 50 copies in Paris. At this moment there is no record as to how many copies still exist today.
A copy discovered in a London art market
Geopolitically and financially, London has been reputed as the world’s prominent center of the art market, where invaluable engravings and drawings, such as etchings by Rembrandt, have been collected and stored since the previous centuries.
It was in London, about 30 years ago, that this particular masterpiece of the print La Primavera by E. M. Geyger happened to be discovered by chance. In our knowledge, it is the only existing copy of the work in the world.
Information on the original engraving
| Title | La Primavera |
|---|---|
| Artist of original painting | Sandro Botticelli (1444/45～1510) |
| Printmaker | Ernst Moritz Geyger (1861～1941) German-born painter, engraver and sculptor |
| Date of the publication | November 1st, 1894 |
| Style | Mixed media engraving (combination of etching with other processes) |
| Printers | A. Salmon et Ardail, Paris |
| Publishing house | Charles Sedelmeyer, Paris |
| Copies published | 50 (with Botticelli’s head and PSA stamp “TY” on the margin) Private collection. |