Drawing Signed Georg Friedrich Schmidt Portraits Characters 1742 18th Century

Framed drawing signed by the German artist Georg Friedrich Schmidt* representing the profile portrait of two figures, dated 1742. 18th century period. This drawing is in good condition as is its gilded frame (posterior). It is under glass. Signed on the left side. Note: slight wear of time, see photos. Georg Friedrich Schmidt* born January 24, 1712 in Wandlitz, and died January 25, 1775 in Berlin, Germany, is a German painter, draftsman, and etcher. Schmidt first studied drawing and engraving with Georg Paul Busch at the Berlin Academy in 1730 before enlisting in the Artillery Corps where he spent six years. After this time, he traveled to Paris (joining Jean-Georges Wille in Strasbourg along the way) where he was a student of Larmessin after having attempted to work with Lancret. On May 5, 1742, he was received at the Royal Academy of Paris on a portrait of Mignard as a reception piece. The same year, and the following year, he exhibited at the Salon de l'Académie in Paris. In 1744, he returned to Berlin where he was appointed engraver to the King of Prussia. In 1757, Empress Elisabeth, whose portrait he had engraved after Tocqué, brought him to Saint Petersburg where he organized an engraving school intended to reproduce the portraits of the emperors of Russia. Returning to Berlin in 1762, Schmidt produced a considerable body of work of 200 pieces, mostly portraits. At the end of his career, he engraved a few etchings. Described by Frederick II as "a skillful engraver, in Berlin, who makes beautiful pastel paintings," the Bénézit states that "one can perhaps reproach him for a certain coldness." For his contemporary Watelet, he "would perhaps be the first engraver if Corneille Visscher had not lived." Dimensions Frame 37 cm by 32.5 cm Reference: 920 371 All photos are on: www.antiques-delaval.com