ADVENT CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
A Christmas Celebration by Daniel Niklaus Chodowiecki
Parents are leading the children to a candle-lit table with presents laid out, in this evocative etching showing a family celebrating Christmas by German graphic artist, Daniel Niklaus Chodowiecki.
Chodowiecki spent most of his life in Berlin, and became the director of the Berlin Academy of Art. His works include several thousand etchings, usually rather small, and many drawings and paintings. His book illustrations embrace almost all the great classics.
His prints represent in great detail the life of the bourgeoisie during the Zopfstil period, a time between Rococo and Classicism. He was in tune with the developing spirit of the age, and many of his works reflect the cult of sensibility.
In printmaking, Chodowiecki is credited with the invention of the deliberate 'remarque', which is a small sketch on a plate lying outside the main image. These were originally little sketches or doodles by artists, not really meant to be seen, but Chodowiecki turned them into 'bonus items' for collectors
The print is part of the extensive Douce collection held by the Ashmolean.
Christmas
Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki (1726– 1801)
1799
Etching
WA1863.11374
Not currently on display
Available to view by appointment in the Western Art Print Room
