Luigi Mayer (1750 - 1803) View Of The Mountains Of Transylvania On The Borders Of Walachia

Original gouache executed in 1794 by Italian-born neoclassical painter and graphic artist Luigi Mayer, who traveled through Europe and Asia Minor (Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Wallachia, Syria, Palestine) and created many views rare topographic maps from his travels in 1776-1800. . His topographical views (watercolors and gouaches) served as the basis for numerous graphic series by various English publishers and engravers. Here are quotes from "The History of Art" (http://www.all-art.org/history386.html) about Luigi Mayer: "..Pre-Orientalism: Although Orientalism is not became a well-defined style only in the 19th century, its roots can be traced back to a general love for the exotic in the 18th century.Artistic treatment of Oriental subjects took the form of charming and picturesque paintings.Records of artists' travels through the countries of the East, with scenes clearly refined to adapt to the tastes of a European public.We note in particular the work of the Swiss pastel painter and engraver Jean-Etienne Liotard (1702-89).Turkish costume, paving an eye for detail and showing an unprecedented sensitivity on the subject. After spending four years in Constantinople from 1738, Liotard even chose to keep the Turkish dress and beard he had adopted abroad to venture east was Luigi Mayer (c. 1755-1803), who traveled across the Ottoman Empire between 1776 and 1794, drawing and painting panoramic landscapes, ancient monuments and the Nile and its surroundings..." The reproductions after Mayer's gouaches can be found under the following link: http:// www.allposters.com/-st/Luigi-Mayer-Posters_c74870_.htm

Literature: “General Artist´s Lexicon” by Thieme/Becker, FvBoetticher “Malerwerke des 19 Jahrhunderts”.
Inscription: titled in Italian, signed and dated 1794 under the image.
Technique: gouache on paper. Original period gilt frame.
Dimensions: single image 30 x 20.5 cm, image with fields and text 36 x 27 cm, framed 54 x 44 cm.
Condition: in very good condition