Carl Wilhelm Kolbe

Carl Wilhelm Kolbe was a graphic artist active between 1759 and 1795. His verifiable output confirms his primary specialization in printmaking, although a drawing is also preserved in institutional holdings.

Kolbe’s documented work demonstrates a strong focus on landscape and botanical subjects characteristic of the late eighteenth century. His prints often depict natural environments that range from the pastoral to the monumental. Recurring thematic elements include densely forested areas and classical settings, evident in works such as Arcadian Landscape with a Satyr Family and the monumental study Giant Oak with a Seated Fisherman. He also produced precise studies of flora, including the print known both as Plant Study with Burdock and Bladeren van de grote klit. Other notable landscape compositions include Bosrijk landschap met landhuis en landwegen.

The importance of Carl Wilhelm Kolbe prints is established through their inclusion in major international collections. Fifteen documented works, consisting of fourteen prints and one drawing, are represented in the holdings of institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Rijksmuseum. Today, much of his material resides in the public domain, allowing for access to high-quality prints and downloadable artwork derived from his late eighteenth-century etchings.