Jean Claude Richard

Jean Claude Richard was an artist primarily active as a graphic artist during the mid-eighteenth century, with documented work spanning the period 1727 to 1767. His verifiable output, preserved in major institutions, includes thirteen prints, one drawing, and one comprehensive volume. The authoritative standing of his work is established by holdings in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art.

Richard’s prints cover diverse subjects, encompassing mythology, genre scenes, and detailed architectural landscapes. Notable examples of his graphic work include the mythological print Venus and Cupid and the pastoral scene Le Petit Parc. His capacity for detailed topographical rendering is evident in works such as View of the entrance to Tivoli and the walls of the Villa d'Este, horsemen approaching the entrance at bottom center, arched entrance in the middleground, cyrus trees and other plants surrounding. He also produced genre studies, including the print A Gardener and a Gentleman.

Richard’s career involved creating documentation for existing European art, a focus confirmed by the title of his bound volume, Fragments choisis dans les Peintures et les Tableaux les plus interessants des Palais et des Eglises d'Italie. Although the survival of Jean Claude Richard paintings is not documented in the metadata, the existence of high-quality prints and etchings confirms his technical proficiency in the medium. Much of the artist’s work is now in the public domain, ensuring continued accessibility for study and appreciation through downloadable artwork provided by museum resources.