Joseph Reinhardt – A Couple in the Costumes of Unterwalden

Joseph Reinhardt

Baptism in Lucerne January 23, 1749.

Died in Lucerne May 28, 1824.

Costumes of Unterwalden

18th Century Handcolored Engraving
Courtship between an alpine shepherdess and a handsome pipe-smoking “Senn” or alpine farmer.

The well-known 18th Century Swiss artist Joseph Reinhardt was a successful Lucerne portraitist and religious painter who also produced a famous series of outstanding engravings onSwiss folkloric themes.

As a young man, Reinhardt studied in Italy (in Lucca and in Rome) where after his money ran out, he also worked for a time as one of the Swiss Guards at the Vatican.

After returning to Luzern, he earned a living painting religious works, including several large altarpieces. Gradually he also began to gain reputation as a portraitist.

Between 1796 and 1802 Reinhardt traveled through Switzerland to document national costumes for his famous major cycle of prints on Swiss peasants.