"Die Versuchung Christi"
The reason for buying this Jesus (from Freigericht, view on google maps)was because Jesus looks a bit like a musketeer. You know Portos, or Aramis. It's not really surprising since this copper engraving was done in the 17th century.
The second reason for buying it at the relatively high price of 90,- Euros (high in comparison to the average price I paid, which is under 10,- Euros), is the Devil. He looks slightly deranged with his crazy hair and long beard. Also, he has a wooden leg instead of a horse's hoof and just very tiny bat-wings that could nver lift him off ground.
Additionally, the engraving is pretty detailed and all over the little town you can see little groups of people quarreling over something.
The person I bought this Jesus from added 5 pages of documentation and certificates, as well her resume. Which makes sense because she is a restaurator. So a one time customer for an object might be a long term customer for a service.
She writes: "This antique copper engraving from the 17th century has been carefully and professionaly restored by me. After the many years, the paper was very dirty and unfortunately it was acidic because it came in contact with other acidic paper. (...) Fortunately the paper was not infected by any kind of fungus."
She then gives some information about acidic paper and how to get the acid back out of a paper. By bathing it, basically. I not only bought a very beautiful Jesus, I also learded something about restoring antique paper and I have for the first time in my life heard of the substances Natriumthiosulfate and Tylose MH300.
The tone of her letter is so nice that I read it all and I actually enjoyed my new Jesus even more. And as if all that weren't exciting enough, she also added three pictures of her workshop so I could see where it was all done and by who (for privacy reasons, I have blacked out their faces slightly).
"DIE VERSUCHUNG CHRISTI"
View a larger version on flickr.
MEASUREMENTS: 23 x 27,5 cm (w x h)
SIZE: 0,063 m²
BOUGHT ON: November 28th, 2007
IN: Freigericht, Germany (map)
AT: ebay
PRICE PAID: 90,- Euro
DISTANCE TO STUTTGART: 216 km
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