Der Lockenraub, ein scherzhaftes Heldengedicht.

Art Historical Context

**Der Lockenraub, ein scherzhaftesengedicht (1772 This charming volume brings Alexander Pope's celebrated mock-heroic poem *The Rape of the Lock* life through a German edition, translated by the esteemed writer Luise Adelgunde Vict Gottsched. Published the renowned Leipzig firm Bernhard Christoph Breitkopf undöhne, it features intricate engravings by Johannikt Bernigeroth, after designs by Anna Maria Werner At a compact 8⅜ × 5⅞ inches, the book—classified among prints and drawings—was a portable treasure for 18th-century readers, blending literature with visual wit. Pope's 1712–1714 English original satirizes aristocratic vanity through the trivial "crime" of a stolen lock of hair, elevating everyday follies to epic heights with nods to Homer and Virgil. This 1772 rendition captures that playful spirit in detailed engravings depicting men and women amid dogs, chairs, and tables—evoking intimate drawing-room scenes of high society. Engravings, a precise intaglio technique, allowed for fine lines and textures, making complex narratives accessible and reproducible. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Elisha Whittelsey Collection, this edition reflects the Enlightenment-era fascination with illustrated books, bridging Anglo-German literary circles and Rococo elegance. It's a delightful window into how humor and refinement intertwined in 18th-century culture. (198 words)

About the Artist

Alexander Pope|Bernhard Christoph Breitkopf und Söhne|Anna Maria Werner|Luise Adelgunde Victoria Gottsched|Johann Benedikt Bernigeroth (British|German|German|German|German) · 1688 | |1688 | |1716 –1744 | |1753 | |1764

British, 1688–1744| |German, Danzig 1688–1753 Dresden| |German, 1716–1764