Martin Engelbrecht [Augsburg] (1684-1756)

Martin Engelbrecht [Augsburg] (1684-1756)
'THE SUMMER' c.1750
A fine series depicting the typical rural activities during the summer. A set of 6 copper engraved card-backed, cut away sheets combining to create an early peep show, [105×142 mm] with original hand-colouring;

The cut aways depict; [1] In a rural contest, with two trees as proscenium, three figures work on a sheaf; [2] two men on the left are gathering the sheaf on a wheeled cart towed by two horses. In the centre, a woman is carrying harvesting tools. On the right side, outside a country house, two men graze and shear the sheep. Inscribed on the lower margin 'C.P.Maj ... G... M. Eng. exc. A.V.'; [3] a landscape view of a wheat field at the foot of a hill with country houses. Three figures harvest the wheat, while on the right side, a man and a woman in aristocratic clothes walk through the field; [4] in the rural landscape, two figures carry the sheaf on a cart towed by two horses. On the right side is a small village. Inscribed on the lower margin 'C.P.Maj. ...G... M. Eng. exc. A.V.'; [5] a landscape with trees on both left and right side leave the centre of the sheet empty, allowing the view of the final sheet; [6] a wider landscape showing in distance a village sourranded by a river, two men are sailing on a small boat over it.