Peter Schenk the elder

Elberfeld, 1660

Petrus Schenck, or Pieter, or Peter Schenk the elder (baptized: 26 December 1660 – between 12 August and 17 November 1711 in Leipzig) was a German engraver and cartographer active in Amsterdam and Leipzig.

He moved to Amsterdam in 1675 and became a student of Gerard Valck specializing in mezzotint. Valck was married to Maria Bloteling, the sister of the Amsterdam engraver Abraham Bloteling.. In 1687 Schenk married Gerard’s sister Agatha Valck. In 1694, together with Valck, he bought some of the copperplates of the art dealer and cartographer Johannes Janssonius. Along with Valck and Bloteling, he produced prints for the London market, though it is not known if he ever went there with them.

Until 1700 he lived in the Jordaan, then he moved to Dam Square or to Leipzig, where he opened a shop, selling maps and art. He was a regular visitor to the trade fair Leipziger Messe in Leipzig, where he died. He had three sons who became engravers. His eldest son Peter Schenk the Younger was also a noted cartographer and art dealer who continued his father’s shop in Liepzig. His sons Jan and Leonard stayed in Amsterdam and probably continued their father’s workshop. His daughter Maria married Leonard Valck, the son of Gerard, who continued Gerard’s workshop.

Schenk drew several Amsterdam burgomasters: Coenraad van Beuningen, Johannes Hudde and Nicolaas Witsen.

He owned an Album Amicorum that was signed was several famous people and runs from 1700 until 1713. Schenk was appointed as court artist in Dresden. He published numerous maps and a drawing of Saxony.

Here you can see the artist's works that are part of the collection.