Antique Engraving of a Hungarian Officer by Martin Engelbrecht, c.1780
€ 500
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1780
Technique
Engraved
Sheet size
31.5 × 21.5 cm (12.4 × 8.5 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-12618-22
Condition
Condition report: Very good impression with fine hand coloring. General age-related toning, minor edge wear, and faint handling marks. Blank verso. Please study the images carefully for full condition.
About this sheet
Antique Engraving of a Hungarian Officer by Martin Engelbrecht, c.1780
Rare original hand-colored engraving depicting a Hussar officer from the "neu aufgerichten Menslichen Regiment" (newly established Hungarian regiment). The officer is shown in full movement, dramatically raising his curved sabre above his head while wearing a richly decorated blue dolman, red sash, and green trousers, with a yellow pelisse thrown over his shoulder. This lively depiction reflects the distinctive style of Martin Engelbrecht (1684–1756), the Augsburg engraver and publisher known for his costume series and military illustrations.
Engelbrecht specialized in detailed costume prints that documented European and exotic uniforms of the 17th and 18th centuries. His works remain an important visual record of military attire and cultural fashions of the time. The present print belongs to a series portraying soldiers and officers in theatrical, almost caricature-like postures, combining accuracy of costume with a touch of humor and dynamism.
The scene is set against a stylized landscape with mountains, a castle, and trees, reinforcing the impression of the officer as a heroic figure on campaign. The German caption below identifies the subject as a Hussar officer, accompanied by a short satirical verse describing his conduct. Such verses were a common feature in Engelbrecht’s works, appealing both as educational and entertaining prints to collectors of the period.
This piece is a fine example of late Baroque Augsburg printmaking and offers collectors both historical interest and decorative appeal. It would make a striking framed display, particularly for enthusiasts of military history, costume prints, or 18th-century engravings.
Condition report: Very good impression with fine hand coloring. General age-related toning, minor edge wear, and faint handling marks. Blank verso. Please study the images carefully for full condition.
Framing tips: A dark wooden or ebonized frame with a cream or light ivory mount will highlight the vivid hand coloring. For added emphasis, a thin red inner line in the mat can echo the officer’s sash and draw attention to the vibrant central figure.
Technique: Hand-colored engraving Maker: Martin Engelbrecht, Augsburg, circa 1780
