Johann Ernst Mansfeld

Johann Ernst Mansfeld was an artist active across the mid-to-late eighteenth century, with documented work spanning from 1749 to 1781. His known output consists primarily of high-quality prints, specializing heavily in formal portraiture.

Mansfeld dedicated his practice to depicting significant European political and scientific figures of the period. His subjects include powerful individuals within the Holy Roman Empire, creating vital historical records of the individuals who shaped eighteenth-century courtly and intellectual life.

Five examples of Johann Ernst Mansfeld’s prints are currently represented in museum collections, confirming the historical and artistic significance of his work. These documented holdings are preserved at the Rijksmuseum. Notable surviving works include the portraits of key imperial figures such as the Portret van keizer Frans I Stefan and the Portret van keizer Jozef II, alongside the Portret van Gerard van Swieten and Portret van Franz Stephan Rautenstrauch. Because these historical works are preserved in established collections, many of Mansfeld's prints are now considered public domain materials, often available as downloadable artwork for scholarly research.