Marquard Fidel Dom. Wocher Paintings

Marquard Fidel Dominik Wocher was a Swiss painter, born in 1760 in Basel. He is most well-known for his panoramic works, which were quite innovative for his time. Wocher began his art career as an apprentice to a house painter, but his talents extended far beyond the conventional craft of the day. His aspirations led him to travel and study the works of other artists, which greatly influenced his style and technique.

Wocher’s most famous work is the 'Tübinger Professorenpanorama', a panoramic depiction of the city of Tübingen, which he created around 1789. This piece is significant as it is considered one of the earliest surviving examples of a panoramic painting. Another notable work is his panoramic view of Thun, which he began in 1809 and completed in 1814. This circular panorama, known as the 'Thun-Panorama', is the oldest surviving panorama in its original setting in the world.

Throughout his career, Wocher's work was characterized by its detailed representation of everyday life and the urban landscape. His panoramas were immersive experiences, offering viewers the sensation of standing within the depicted scene. At a time when travel was not as accessible as it is today, Wocher's panoramas provided a means for people to experience distant places.

Wocher spent most of his life in Switzerland, where he continued to paint and exhibit his work. He was not only a painter but also a printmaker, and his works were also disseminated in the form of engravings, allowing a wider audience to appreciate his panoramic vistas. Wocher's contribution to the arts was significant in that he helped to popularize the panoramic format, which would later become a widespread form of entertainment in the 19th century with the advent of the moving panorama.

Marquard Wocher passed away in 1830 in Basel, leaving behind a legacy of pioneering panoramic art. His work remains an important part of Swiss cultural heritage and continues to be studied and admired for its historical value and artistic merit.