Christian Benjamin Rauschner (1723 - 1793)

Christian Benjamin Rauschner (Naumburg, 1723 - Frankfurt am Main, 1793)

Gallant scene

Painted wax, cm 43 x 32

The refined gallant wax scene analyzed here identifies the hand of the famous German coropolasta Christian Benjamin Rauschner (1723 - 1793). The inscription on the back, attributed to B.C. Hardy, shows a probable English origin and identified the hand of Caspar Bernhard Hardy (1726 - 1819). The stylistic and formal approach, however, confirm the name of Rauschner.

He was active mainly in Frankfurt where he also worked as an art dealer. Rauschner’s prolific production includes scenes of genre and mythological subjects, characterized by a slight and delicate sensuality, aimed at enhancing the mimetic properties of polychrome wax. The main nucleus of his production is preserved in the Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum in Brauschweig, Lower Saxony. In this very museum there is a relief that allows this wax to be assigned to Rauschner, a relief also representing a gallant scene with the same setting, where as was customary for Rauschner and for many ceroplasts, previously used models are revisited.