SALOMON GESSNER (1730 Zürich 1788) Landscape with a Temple and a Waterfall. Gouache, signed and dated lower right "S. Gessner 1782". 28,7:38,5 cm. Salomon Gessner had a double talent, as a poet and as a painter, as only few artists before him. His principal work, the "Idyllen" (1751-1772) with its rhythmically animated prose, was of great significance for the development of the German language after the age of enlightenment. Today, however, Gessner is admired more for his drawings, paintings and etchings. In his time, Salomon Gessner was a respected Zurich citizen and he occupied many high functions: joint owner of Orell, Gessner, Füssli & Co. - the largest and most important publisher of the enlightenment in Switzerland - co-founder of the Zurich porcelain factory, from 1767 council of Zurich and from 1781 superintendent of the largest municipal woodland in Sihlwald.