German Artists: Georg Wille
Johann Georg Wille 1715-1808
In his life Wille had many students, one of them being Sigmund Freudenberg.
Georg Wille Le petit physicien graveur par JG Wille, graveur du roi 1760
Georg Wille, born in Germany, moved later on in his life to France where he started his career as a very gifted copper engraver. He became very famous both in France as abroad, almost obtaining the status of a 18th century superstar. He became the house engraver for famous kings like Louis the 15th, Frederick the second and Frederick the Fifth of Denmark. Napoleon Bonaparte appointed him ‘night of the Legion of Honor’. In 1758, Jean was naturalized and became an French citizen.
He won many prizes and acknowledgements of his whole Ouvre. Because Wille had many contacts in Europe, he left a ton of historical information behind when his correspondence was published after his death and bundled in book. Some historians described him as a “network entrepreneur”.