Johann Georg Beck

Johann Georg Beck ( born April 24, 1676 in Augsburg, † August 7, 1722 Braunschweig ) was a German engraver.

Life and work

Beck was born in Augsburg, but moved in 1700 to Ulm to bring yourself from the vagaries of the Spanish War of Succession, who also threatened his birthplace, to safety. In Ulm, he married in 1703 Anna Elisabeth Merck, widowed Hohleise and fled with her in the same year in Leipzig. They remained there until September 1706 when Swedish troops threatened the city. They fled again, this time to Braunschweig. In October 1706 Beck moved with his wife, a house in Brunswick Soft Sack, height 7, there opened an engraving workshop and offered his services Herzog Anton Ulrich of Brunswick- Wolfenbüttel. Probably Beck was appointed to 1711 court engraver. January 1712 his first wife died and he married the same year the Brown Swiss Gerin Anna Elisabeth Füllekrug. 1713 son Anton was born in August, which was his father's company to continue until his death in 1787.

Beck's business flourished due to the Duke's orders, and work for the published since 1710 Braunschweiger calendar. In addition, he produced engravings of Braunschweig, Wolfenbüttel, castle Salzdahlum, Hildesheim, etc., which were also available as single sheets. Among his customers were both wealthy bourgeoisie and clergy. Of particular quality were his portrait engravings, among others, Duke August Wilhelm and his wife Elisabeth Sophie Marie, Duchess Amalie and Princess Charlotte Christine Sophie.

After his death in 1722 his widow married a second time in 1725; in turn, a native of Augsburg, engraver, Johann Georg Schmidt. This led the Beck's workshop continued, was the son of Anton August of 1767 and handed over this business.

Much of the work of father and son Beck is now in the Metropolitan Museum and the city archives Brunswick.

Selections

Floor plan of park and castle Salzdahlum, 1710