Author: Joseph Friedrich Leopold (1668-1727)[?]; Johann Adam Müller (1698-1738) [?]
Title: [Antique print, etching] Das Johannes Feuer / Der Som[m]er, published ca. 1750. [Dwarf scene]
Description: German engraving from the 18th century representing the so called 'St. John's fire', a celebration for the beginning of the summer.The personnages represented are quite charicaturized (dwarf?).On the bottom of the print a poem in German reads:Die Meigel einen Sprung, / nach ihrem Fritz will wagen. / Da kompt das Hämd ihm brand, / und ihr zersprang der Magen.Possibly from a set representing the four seasons. Possibly by Joseph Friedrich Leopold (1668-1727) and Johann Adam Müller (1698-1738). Attribution by comparison with Aestas and Autumnus at the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg [Brückner, Wolfgang: Imagerie Populaire Allemande, Milano, 1969, p. 105]St. John’s Fire refers to bonfire rituals held on the eve of St. John the Baptist’s Day, a Christianized version of older pagan solstice festivals. The print likely depicts people gathered around or jumping over bonfires, which were believed to ward off evil, bless crops, and promote fertility and health. This type of summer festivity was especially common in German-speaking regions, and continues in some rural areas today. Engraving with some etching; total: 176 x 258 mm; some staining due to handling; visible fold in the bottom right. overall in good condition. Rare. In passepartout total size: 300 x 400 mm.

Keywords: Allegories|Caricature|Estates|Farmers|fire|Genre|Iconography|Male|Music|Satirical|Satirical prints