Georg Friedrich Schmidt is a copper engraver. He is known as the best engraver of the eighteenth century, the largest in Germany. He was a teacher of Russian masters, founded the engraving class at the Academy of Arts, becoming his first teacher.
Arriving in St. Petersburg in 1757, Schmidt received the appointment of a master of portraits at the Academy of Arts. He taught at the rank of chief engraver. In 1976, Georg Friedrich Schmidt was elected a member of the Academy of Fine Arts.
Talent Improvement Time
One of the most prominent masters of engraving in the world appeared in the poor family of a weaver in 1912. Against the will of the parent, Georg became a student at the Berlin Academy. He went to the apprenticeship with George Paul Bush. From him, Schmidt learned the subtleties and techniques of craftsmanship.
In the domestic art school, a period of stagnation began. Therefore, the novice creator’s own knowledge with copying engravings is much longer than an academic education.
Education soon had to be suspended due to conscription. For six years, Schmidt served her, continuing to improve skills every free moment. He was engaged in drawing, copying prints of French masters. Then he decided to go to Paris to become a real engraver.
In 1936, Schmidt received an order for a series of illustrations for books. This provided the future famous master with the necessary funds. In Strasbourg, a meeting was held in Villa, an artist who went to Paris to continue his education. The friendship that began on the road lasted a lifetime.
At first, friends had a hard time. After presenting letters of recommendation from Antoine Pan, a Berlin painter, to Nicole Lancre, a demonstration of his own engravings allowed him to gain the favor of the master. With the help of Lancre, Schmidt got to the famous engraver Larmessen in the workshop. The beginner's zeal and talent very soon put the student in the forefront. He got a chance to work with the teacher on engravings from the original Lancret.
The works were approvingly met by the famous painter Hyacinth Rigaud. He helped Schmidt receive orders for the portrait of Count d'Evrier and Archbishop of Cabrea. Creations made the master famous. For the portrait of the artist, Minyar Schmidt was elected to the Royal Academy.
Petersburg period
Despite the secure future of the capital, George Friedrich returned to Berlin in 1744 at the invitation of King Frederick the Second. He became an engraver at court, and began teaching at the Academy. The master began a return to the artistic traditions of Germany. In Berlin, he turned into a master of the highest level, raised many students, gained independence. Ville spent his whole life in Paris, became a true follower of the French engraving school.
The most technologically advanced are the Parisian works of Schmidt. However, the most brilliant and spectacular critics consider his Berlin creations. The master follows the technique of incisal engraving when creating portraits.
He chooses a strict linear style, conveying the stylistics of forms, the depth of shadows, the textural diversity by the variation in thickness of the incisal lines. He sought considerable freedom and a variety of tones. With all the splendor of the engraving technique, there is some weakness in the drawing. This is especially noticeable in etchings on the compositions of the master himself.
Life in the capital was developing safely. The artist managed to happily establish his personal life, start a family. His wife was Dorothea Louise Wiesbaden, the daughter of a merchant. Berlin Georg left again. Masters were recommended by Louis Tokke, a French portrait painter at the Russian court.
He described Schmitt as an experienced master and teacher of engraving craftsmanship. The respected painter was able to convince the Russian art department of the need to invite Schmidt to teach.
The decision was made promptly. Jacob Shtelin, who headed the Department of Arts, wrote to Georg Friedrich several months later about inviting him for five years as the first engraver. Along with teaching, he was appointed the creator of portraits commissioned by the Academy's office.
