Johann Friedrich Leonart

Johann Friedrich Leonart (born 1633, active after 1680) was a German engraver and printmaker, likely from Dunkirk, known for his refined and meticulously detailed engravings after leading artists of the Baroque period. Working during a time when engraving was the primary means of circulating artworks across Europe, Leonart became recognized for his technical precision and ability to translate complex compositions into elegantly balanced prints.

He produced numerous engravings after painters such as Peter Paul Rubens, Carlo Maratta, and Carlo Cignani, often characterized by fine linework, careful shading, and a harmonious sense of composition. His subjects ranged from religious and allegorical scenes to classical narratives, reflecting the cosmopolitan taste of 17th-century collectors. Though details of his life remain scarce, Leonart’s work exemplifies the high craftsmanship and interpretive sensitivity of German engraving in the late Baroque era, securing him a modest but respected place among Europe’s accomplished reproductive printmakers.