Johann Elias Ridinger

Hinged to the mount at the upper margin. Overall in excellent condition. Very faint brown foxing along the lower margin. Colours strong and robust.
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Johann Elias Ridinger (1698 -1767) was one of the leading draughtsman and printmakers in Germany in the 18^th century.  The drawings offered here demonstrate his passion for depicting animals, especially those associated with hunting.  He was extremely well versed in zoological and hunting literature as well as being familiar with 17^th century animal paintings, executed by artists like Aelbert Cuyp, Nicolaes Berchem and Paulus Potter.  The drawings in this collection are testament to the way Ridinger was able to skilfully capture animals and their idiosyncrasies, often within quite complex compositions.

Born in Ulm in 1698 he began his artistic training with the painter Christoph Resch.  He later moved to Augsburg where he was mentored by the animal and still life painter Johann Falch (1687-1727), and it was during his years with Falch that he was taught the importance of studying from nature. In 1719 he worked with Wolff Freiherr von Metternich who became a close acquaintance as well as patron.  Metternich invited Ridinger to Regensburg, where he was to spend three formative years, witnessing the hunt first-hand and observing the horses in the riding school.  In 1722 he returned to Augsburg and continued his education with the painter and engraver, Georg Philipp Rugendas (1666-1742).  Later in his career Ridinger became the Director of the Augsburg City Academy in 1759.  Ridinger’s images reached a wide audience not only through his prints and engravings but his imagery was translated into porcelain and ceramics as well as interior decoration. 

The first catalogue raisonné of Ridinger’s work was compiled in 1856 by G.A.W Thienemann.  The publication is still widely used today and remains the main reference book on the artist (see lot 225).  It has been possible, in some cases, to connect the drawings presented here with the prints that are recorded in Thienemann. 

The present sheet is a rare example of Ridinger working in watercolour, as he predominantly chose a more muted pen and ink and wash palette for his drawings.