(Königsberg 1630-1706 Kloster Leubus) The Assumption of Mary, etching, signed and dated M. Willmann 1683 in the plate, 48 x 34,2 cm, on laid paper with watermark "Big crowned coat of arms with monogram „W“, with narrow margn along platemarks, Nagler 9 II (of II), Kloss 6 II (of II), mounted, unframed, (Sch)

Provenance: Private collection, Germany, collector’s mark (Lugt 3183) on the reverse.

After the high altar painting in the parish church of Leubus which Willmann finished in 1681. A splendid, black impression of the IInd state (of II). With the inscription in the open book of the apostle at lower right, with edges particularly along platemarks. Thinned out areas, the repairs of two tears strenghtened on the reverse, otherwise in good condition. Very rare. The present etching is the largest of Willmann’s prints, which should make his works known to a larger circle of people. Eleven etchings which were executed between 1670 and 1683 are known from his hand. Willmann had lerned the technique of etching in the studio of Rembrandt; only little time was left to him for etching besides the execution of paintings, wall and ceiling decorations which had been assigned to him. Particularly in his late phase Willmann was so busy with commissions that he had to leave the reproduction of his works to other artists. One can assume that the plate of the present etching was the last one which Willmann did on his own.

Literature: Hubertus Lossow, Michael Willmann (1630-1706), Würzburg 1994, pp. 93-95, Cat. C 6, p. 125.