DOI chapter:
Painters, Sculptors, Architects, Engravers, and their Works
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61295#0426
404
MENGS — MERIAN.
Mengs, Anton Raphael, born at Aussig in Bohemia (1728-1774).
His father was a miniature and enamel painter, in which art the son
was most severely trained. He copied from antiques and the works
of the best masters, until he had acquired ideas of color from Titian,
of chiaro-scuro from Correggio, composition from Raphael, etc. But
the fire of genius was wanting; power of invention and feeling were
not his, and though he had, and still has, warm admirers, his works
are cold and uninspiring — perfect in technicalities, but void of soul.
He lived much in Rome, where he was first sent by the King of
Poland, who had appointed him court painter when but seventeen
years old. In Rome he received much patronage, and painted a ceil-
ing in the Villa Albani, the ceiling of the Camera de’ Papini in the
Vatican, etc. He was invited to Spain, where he was much admired,
and did many fine works. Twelve of his easel pictures are in the
Madrid Gall., and a “ Nativity,” lighted from the Child, like the
“ Notte ” of Correggio, is much praised. His frescoes in Madrid,
especially the “ Apotheosis of Trajan,” gained him great reputation.
His portraits are his best works. These are seen in the Uffizi, Mu-
nich, and Berlin galleries. A “ Cupid,” in the Dresden Gall., done
in pastils, is a good specimen of his work in that manner. He also
wrote upon art subjects, and his observations upon notable pictures
are excellent. The standing of this artist has been a matter of much
difference and dispute. By some, as by Winkelman, he is exalted to
the very pinnacle of fame, by others severely criticised; but one
thing is certain, that if he had not great virtues he had no glaring
faults, and gave a careful and learned attention to the proprieties of
his art. His “ Mount Parnassus ” has been engraved by Raphael
Morghen; and “ James dictating to History,” and a “ Holy Family,”
by Domenico Cunego.
AJU T Merian,
born at Basle (1593-1651). This eminent designer and engraver
married a daughter of Theodor de Bry, by whom he was instructed
and advised. It is said that Merian instructed Hollar. His best
plates are views of the environs of Heidelberg, Stuttgart, Schwal-
bach, etc. He also engraved portraits and some other subjects from
his own designs. A large plate of the “ Last Supper,” inscribed,
Accepit Jesus panem, is very scarce, as is also another of “ Human
Life,” inscribed, Tabula Cebetis, continens totius vltce humanoe dis-
criptionem.
Merian, Matthew, the Younger, born at Basle, 1621. Son of the
preceding, and pupil of Sandrart, Rubens, and Vandyck. A reputa-
ble painter of portraits and historical subjects.
Merian, Maria Sybilla, daughter of Matthew, the Elder, born
at Frankfort (1647-1717). Her father died when she was but four
MENGS — MERIAN.
Mengs, Anton Raphael, born at Aussig in Bohemia (1728-1774).
His father was a miniature and enamel painter, in which art the son
was most severely trained. He copied from antiques and the works
of the best masters, until he had acquired ideas of color from Titian,
of chiaro-scuro from Correggio, composition from Raphael, etc. But
the fire of genius was wanting; power of invention and feeling were
not his, and though he had, and still has, warm admirers, his works
are cold and uninspiring — perfect in technicalities, but void of soul.
He lived much in Rome, where he was first sent by the King of
Poland, who had appointed him court painter when but seventeen
years old. In Rome he received much patronage, and painted a ceil-
ing in the Villa Albani, the ceiling of the Camera de’ Papini in the
Vatican, etc. He was invited to Spain, where he was much admired,
and did many fine works. Twelve of his easel pictures are in the
Madrid Gall., and a “ Nativity,” lighted from the Child, like the
“ Notte ” of Correggio, is much praised. His frescoes in Madrid,
especially the “ Apotheosis of Trajan,” gained him great reputation.
His portraits are his best works. These are seen in the Uffizi, Mu-
nich, and Berlin galleries. A “ Cupid,” in the Dresden Gall., done
in pastils, is a good specimen of his work in that manner. He also
wrote upon art subjects, and his observations upon notable pictures
are excellent. The standing of this artist has been a matter of much
difference and dispute. By some, as by Winkelman, he is exalted to
the very pinnacle of fame, by others severely criticised; but one
thing is certain, that if he had not great virtues he had no glaring
faults, and gave a careful and learned attention to the proprieties of
his art. His “ Mount Parnassus ” has been engraved by Raphael
Morghen; and “ James dictating to History,” and a “ Holy Family,”
by Domenico Cunego.
AJU T Merian,
born at Basle (1593-1651). This eminent designer and engraver
married a daughter of Theodor de Bry, by whom he was instructed
and advised. It is said that Merian instructed Hollar. His best
plates are views of the environs of Heidelberg, Stuttgart, Schwal-
bach, etc. He also engraved portraits and some other subjects from
his own designs. A large plate of the “ Last Supper,” inscribed,
Accepit Jesus panem, is very scarce, as is also another of “ Human
Life,” inscribed, Tabula Cebetis, continens totius vltce humanoe dis-
criptionem.
Merian, Matthew, the Younger, born at Basle, 1621. Son of the
preceding, and pupil of Sandrart, Rubens, and Vandyck. A reputa-
ble painter of portraits and historical subjects.
Merian, Maria Sybilla, daughter of Matthew, the Elder, born
at Frankfort (1647-1717). Her father died when she was but four