TADEUSZ KOŚCIUSZKO (1746-1817). Bust sideways in oval; drawn by D. Chodowiecki; taken from: Almanach historique et généalogique pour l'année bissextile 1796 - Histoire de Pologne avec 2 cartes, 7 portraits et 6 estampes historiques par D. Chodowiecki, published by J.F. Unger, Berlin 1795; copper. spot, b/w, st. bdb; sheet size 60x106 mm; Kosciuzko.
Daniel Chodowiecki (1726-1801) was one of the most prominent European printmakers of the 18th century, a draughtsman, book illustrator and painter of miniatures. He was born in Gdansk to a family with Polish and Huguenot roots. For most of his life, however, he was active in Berlin, where he gained a great reputation as an artist and illustrator of the Enlightenment era. He is best known for his masterful engravings using etching and copperplate techniques, book illustrations, genre scenes depicting the life of the 18th century bourgeoisie, portraits and custom cycles. He created several thousand prints. He illustrated the works of many Enlightenment writers, such as G.E. Lessing, J.J. Rousseau, J.W. Goethe. In 1797, he became director of the Prussian Academy of Arts. He often emphasized his ties to Poland. Today he is recognized as an outstanding documentarian of everyday life in the Age of Enlightenment.
