Johann Jakob Frey the Elder (17 February 1681 – 11 January 1752) was a Swiss engraver.
Frey was born in Lucerne. After learning the principles of design he went, when he was twenty-two years of age, to Rome, where he received some instruction from Arnold van Westerhout, and had afterwards the advantage of studying in the school of Carlo Maratti, at the same time with Robert van Auden-Aerd. His progress was rapid, and he was soon regarded as one of the ablest artists in Rome. His drawing is correct and tasteful, and he was a perfect master of harmony and effeot. He etched his plates with spirit, and worked over the etching with a firm and masterly hand. Pew artists have approached nearer to the style of the painters from whom they engraved than Frey. He died at Rome, aged 70.
His prints, which exceed the number of one hundred, are generally of a very large size. The following are the principal:
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I arbeid...