Biography of Johann Elias Ridinger
Augsburg artist and engraver famous for depictions of animals, hunting and nature. He primarily used line engraving and etching and should not be regarded exclusively as a mezzotint artist.
Career and artistic context
Johann Elias Ridinger worked within the development of European printmaking and the spread of printed images. During this period, workshops, publishers and collectors played an essential role in circulating portraits, scenes and reproductions of paintings.
Relationship to mezzotint
Mezzotint can produce a range of tones from deep blacks to the most delicate highlights by working the surface of a metal plate. For this artist, it is important to distinguish a contribution to printmaking in general from a specific specialisation in mezzotint.
Legacy
Studying this artist’s work helps place printmaking techniques in their historical context and shows how prints made images accessible beyond private collections. For specific attributions and titles, consult museum catalogues and specialist collections.