Johann Elias Ridinger

At the age of fourteen, Johann Elias Ridinger began his artistic training with Ulm painter Christoph Resch. He moved to Augsburg around 1716 and began working in Johann Falch's studio where he produced depictions of animals, especially horses. After spending three years in Regensburg hunting game and visiting the riding school, Ridinger returned to Augsburg to learn engraving and etching from George Philipp Rugendas. In 1723, he opened an art publishing house and sold prints that he drew and engraved himself. His themes included hunting, horse breeds, riding lessons, wild animals, and zoological abnormalities. He produced over 1600 engravings of animals in a monumental style with Rococo elements. Ridinger became director of the Augsburg Stadtakademie in 1759, and his two sons continued to operate the publishing company after his death. His most popular images continued to be reprinted into the nineteenth century and were adapted for wall decorations, porcelain, and ceramics. Along with Jean-Baptiste Oudry, Ridinger is known as one of the best animal artists of the 18th century.

(Source: Weih-Kruger, Sonja. "Ridinger, Johann Elias," Grove Art Online [Accessed 15 June 2006], http://www.groveart.com/shared/views/article.html?section=art.072055.)