Adam Ludwig Wirsing

Signed Passion Flower with a Butterfly

Origin

Germany

Period

19th Century

Materials

Gouache on white laid paper

Dimensions

W.	8.5 in;	H.	10 in;
W.	21.59 cm;	H.	25.4 cm;

Description

Signed and inscribed in brown ink on lower center of verso:
A.L. Wirsing excudit Norim(berg)
Numbered: No. 11

Adam Wirsing was the head of a family of artist’s born in Fussli, near Meusel. He was a student of Heller-Andresen and became a famous illustrator, and famous author of natural history subjects and botanical illustrations. He also was expert at depicting animals, still life, and illustrating biblical subjects. Wirsing also painted landscapes and frontispieces for many books.
In 1760, Wirsing moved to Nüremberg at the invitation of the art dealer G. D. Heumann, who had been the dealer of the late Barbara Regina Dietzsch, whose work Wirsing’s resembled, but who had his own original subjects. Heumann was also dealer for Regina Margaretha, Barbara Regina’s daughter.
Wirsing was also known for his portraits, his painting of the Prince Regent Carolus Alberto is in the Museum in Munich. Many of Wirsing’s works are in the State Library of Nüremberg, Nüremberg’s State Museum, and many private german collections. This painting of a passion flower has the black background, also favored by the Dietzsch’s, and is an extremely accurate depiction of the flower.

Styles / Movements

Old Master, Other

Dealer Reference Number

WOP 18-24

Incollect Reference Number

152221