Portrait conceived by the Van Ostade and etched by William Unger and pulled from the copper plate in 1868 edition of “Etching and Etchers” impression on laid paper with margins. Etched work measures 3.50 by 4.25 inches. This is in good condition with a slight wave to the paper (that can be flattened when matted correctly). Library stamp of “School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston” on verso NOT affecting the work.


William Unger The long-lived William Unger is important not only as an etcher but as an influential scholar and teacher. Serving as professor of graphic arts at the Vienna Academy he taught etching techniques to many of the finest Austrian, German and French artists of the early twentieth century. He was also a founder of Zeitschrift fur Bildendekunst (1866), an important journal which promoted etching, engraving and lithography. Unger’s autobiography, Aus meinen leben, was published in Vienna in 1928.

William Unger began his formal art studies in 1854 as a student of Joseph Keller, in Dusseldorf. He then finished his studies at the Academy in Leipzig. During his successful career as an etcher Unger received numerous awards including medals from expositions in Paris (1878), Vienna (1888) and Berlin (1891). Unger became most famous for his etchings after the paintings of both old masters and contemporary artists, and these reproductive works occupied most of his career.

Art (paintings, prints, frames)