Johann Elias Ridinger, Backing Up Against the Wall
Johann Elias Ridinger (1698–1767)
Walking Backward Along the Wall (Das suruct gehen an der Band)
copperplate engraving, paper, 48.5 x 37 cm (print)
lower left: avec PSCM; lower right: J. E. Ridinger inv. des. et excud Aug. Vind.
He began his painting studies at the age of 14 under the painter Christoph Resch in Ulm, and subsequently studied drawing at the Deutsche Akademie founded by Joachim von Sandrart. Around 1716, he moved to Augsburg, where he studied animal drawing—especially horses—in Johann Falch’s studio. At the invitation of Count Wolf von Metternich, he spent the next three years in Regensburg, honing his skills in drawing horses through observations at the local riding school. Upon his return to Augsburg, he began studying copperplate engraving and etching under Georg P. Rugendas at the local Stadtakademie. In 1723, he opened a publishing house in Augsburg, where he began publishing works that he first drew and then engraved himself. Over time, his sons Martin Elias (1730–1781) and Johann Jacob (1736–1784)—both of whom were also printmakers and engravers—joined the business. In 1759, in recognition of his artistic and publishing activities, J. E. Ridinger was appointed rector of the Augsburg Stadtakademie. After his death, his sons continued the publishing business. Later, the publishing house changed its name to Martin Engelbrechtschen Kunsthandlung.
The majority of the artist’s works feature hunting and equestrian themes, as well as depictions of wild animals. As a keen observer, Ridinger mastered the art of portraying animals in their characteristic movements. He usually placed them against a landscape background, depicted in a somewhat decorative, ornamental manner characteristic of the Rococo style.
In total, J. E. Ridinger created approximately 1,600 works, which continued to be appreciated long after the artist’s death. His work was popularized by the 1817 publication of the album *Galerie Ridingerscher Tier- und Jagdstücke*. Numerous reprints of the artist’s engravings continued to appear throughout the 19th century, and motifs derived from them were also used to decorate porcelain, ceramics, and wallpaper. In 1856, Georg August Wilhelm Thienemann published *Leben und Wirken des unvergleichlichen Thiermalers und Kupferstechers Johann Elias Ridinger* (Leipzig, Weigel, 1856)—a comprehensive account of Ridinger’s life and work, complete with a catalog of his works.
Ridinger’s works are held in many different museums around the world; in addition to German collections, they can be found, among others, at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wyoming; the British Museum in London; the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge; and the Slovak Museum of Forestry and the Woodworking Industry in Zvolen (the collection in Sv. Anton comprises 28 engravings[1]). In Poland, a number of Ridinger’s prints are held in the collections of the National Library. .
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Johann Elias Ridinger (1698–1767)
Walking Backward Along the Wall (Das suruct gehen an der Band)
copperplate engraving, paper, 48.5 x 37 cm (print)
lower left: avec PSCM; lower right: J. E. Ridinger inv. des. et excud Aug. Vind.
He began his painting studies at the age of 14 under the painter Christoph Resch in Ulm, and subsequently studied drawing at the Deutsche Akademie founded by Joachim von Sandrart. Around 1716, he moved to Augsburg, where he studied animal drawing—especially horses—in Johann Falch’s studio. At the invitation of Count Wolf von Metternich, he spent the next three years in Regensburg, honing his skills in drawing horses through observations at the local riding school. Upon his return to Augsburg, he began studying copperplate engraving and etching under Georg P. Rugendas at the local Stadtakademie. In 1723, he opened a publishing house in Augsburg, where he began publishing works that he first drew and then engraved himself. Over time, his sons Martin Elias (1730–1781) and Johann Jacob (1736–1784)—both of whom were also printmakers and engravers—joined the business. In 1759, in recognition of his artistic and publishing activities, J. E. Ridinger was appointed rector of the Augsburg Stadtakademie. After his death, his sons continued the publishing business. Later, the publishing house changed its name to Martin Engelbrechtschen Kunsthandlung.
The majority of the artist’s works feature hunting and equestrian themes, as well as depictions of wild animals. As a keen observer, Ridinger mastered the art of portraying animals in their characteristic movements. He usually placed them against a landscape background, depicted in a somewhat decorative, ornamental manner characteristic of the Rococo style.
In total, J. E. Ridinger created approximately 1,600 works, which continued to be appreciated long after the artist’s death. His work was popularized by the 1817 publication of the album *Galerie Ridingerscher Tier- und Jagdstücke*. Numerous reprints of the artist’s engravings continued to appear throughout the 19th century, and motifs derived from them were also used to decorate porcelain, ceramics, and wallpaper. In 1856, Georg August Wilhelm Thienemann published *Leben und Wirken des unvergleichlichen Thiermalers und Kupferstechers Johann Elias Ridinger* (Leipzig, Weigel, 1856)—a comprehensive account of Ridinger’s life and work, complete with a catalog of his works.
Ridinger’s works are held in many different museums around the world; in addition to German collections, they can be found, among others, at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wyoming; the British Museum in London; the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge; and the Slovak Museum of Forestry and the Woodworking Industry in Zvolen (the collection in Sv. Anton comprises 28 engravings[1]). In Poland, a number of Ridinger’s prints are held in the collections of the National Library. .
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