Jean Lenfant

Jean Lenfant was an artist active from approximately 1615 to 1670. While details regarding his biography are limited, his body of work known in major American institutions consists entirely of prints.

Six works by Lenfant are currently documented in major museum collections. These compositions demonstrate a versatile approach to subject matter, ranging from religious narrative to portraiture and architectural design. Notable examples include the devotional subject Jesus Christ and the related religious work The Penitence of Saint Peter. Lenfant also executed portraiture, exemplified by Portrait of an Unknown Gentleman, and produced functional designs such as Design for an Epitaph. A specific portrait, Le cardinal de Coislin, further illustrates his focus on individual likenesses within the 17th century milieu.

The survival of Lenfant's work is secured by its preservation in prominent institutions. His prints are held in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art, establishing their lasting relevance and providing access to high-quality prints for scholars and the public. Today, much of this historical work is considered public domain, allowing for downloadable artwork and broader circulation of his 17th-century output.