Lot 95: Johann Justin Preissler (Nuremberg 1698-1771)

A set of twenty-six drawings after antique statuettes and intaglios four signed 'J J Preisler' and many inscribed on the versi red chalk, pen and grey ink, grey wash; nine in black chalk; eleven in red chalk; two in pen and brown ink the four illustrated: 6 1/8 x 43/4 in. (157 x 125 mm.); 43/4 x 51/2 in. (124 x 138 mm.); and the largest 7 5/8 x 51/4 in. (194 x 134 mm.) (26) NOTES This group of drawings depicting gems, intaglios or statuettes probably dates from Preissler's stay in Rome in 1727-1731 when he worked for Baron Philipp von Stosch (1691-1757), one of the most celebrated antiquarians of his time. Stosch moved to Rome in 1715 and under Cardinal Alessandro Albani's patronage carried out a number of archeological excavations around Rome. He was probably best known as a connoisseur of ancient gems and intaglios, publishing in Amsterdam in 1724 his Gemmae antiquae caelatae, illustrated in color. His collection of more than ten thousand gems, intaglios, cameos and antique glass paste was catalogued by Winckelmann in 1758. Stosch, with Preissler as one of the draughtsman, also published the Carte cosmographique, an inventory of Roman buildings. He is most famously depicted in Ghezzi's famous caricature of Baron von Stosch receiving Roman Antiquaries in the Albertina). Preissler had previously studied with his father in Nuremberg and from 1724 with Giovanni Battista Piazzetta in Venice. In 1731 he returned to Nuremberg, and after 1742 he held a number of official posts at the Academy. He made a great number of engravings, including some after Bouchardon.