Wagner, Joseph

Wagner, Joseph a Swiss engraver, was born at Thalendorf, on Lake Constance, in 1706. He first studied painting, at Venice, under Jacopo Amiconi, who advised him to devote himself to engraving. He then went to Paris, where he studied under Lawrence Cars. He also visited London in 1733, where. he resided some time, and engraved several plates. He afterwards returned to Venice, where he established himself as an engraver, and carried on a trade in prints. He died at Venice in 1780. Among his best works are the following: The Education of the Virgin, after Amiconi: — The Infant Christ Sleeping, after the same: — The Holy Family, after Paul Veronese: — The Interview between Jacob and Rachel, after L. Giordano: — Rebecca Receiving the Presents from Eleazar, after the same: — The Death of Abel, after Benedetto Luti: — Mary Magdalene in the House of the Pharisee, after the same: — The Virgin and Infant Christ, after Solimena: — The Assumption of the Virgin, after Piazzetta: — and St. John in the Desert, after C. Vanloo. See Spooner, Biog. Hist. of the Fine Arts, s.v.