Original Watercolor of Shells

Artist or Author: Franz Anton von Scheidel

Work:

Date of Publication: 1797

Style: Original Watercolor on J. Whatman Watermarked Woven Paper

Paper Size: ~ 13" by 9 1/4"

Condition: The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or faint marks to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.

Description of the work:

This exceptionally rare and well executed original watercolor is by Franz Anton von Scheidel. It was likely completed in 1797. The watercolor is on woven paper with J. Whatman 18th century watermarks.

Franz Anton von Scheidel (1731-1801) was an accomplished natural history artist from Germany. He worked for Nicolaus Joseph Jacquin producing botanical watercolors for Flora Austriaca and Hortus botanicus Vindobonensis. He also worked on Friedrich Martini's work on shells entitled Neues systematisches Conchylien-Cabinet.

It is unsigned, but was part of a larger selection originally auctioned at Sotheby's on January 20, 1982. The watercolor was framed, and the backing was marked with the auction details. The auction was "Sotheby Parke-Bernet, and Franz Anton von Scheidel. Old Master Drawings from the Sixteenth Through the Eighteenth Centuries: Including Works by Benso, Blake, Cambiaso ... and a Group of Eighteenth Century Watercolors by Franz Anton Von Scheidel". Scheidel's watercolors are exeptionally rare to find, and auction records and retail prices are often realized near $10,000.