Polyautograph (Pen Lithograph). Sheet size: 33.5 x 26.5 cm. Aufseeser 7. Exh. cat., Bild vom Stein, cat.no. 307. Winkler 671,6.

Very good, powerful impression on the full sheet. A fold across the centre and two small tears, otherwise well preserved and untouched.

One of Reuter's earliest lithographs; dated on the stone 26.7.1803 in Darmstadt. Reuter learnt the technique of lithography from André and François Johannot in Offenbach only shortly before that date. Winkler mentions only four impressions of the first version. In 1804, Reuter produced another, more developed version (Winkler 671, 64) that was included in the series of Polyautographs by outstanding Berlin Artists. In importance and type of print it is comparable to the Rape of Proserpina of the same year, of which there are also two versions (Winkler, 671, 5 & 7).

As the first version, our impression is extremely rare and in this form may be regarded as one of the most important graphic works in Reuter's early oeuvre.