Johann Heinrich Hess

Johann Heinrich Hess was an artist documented as active around 1765, known primarily for his contributions to decorative printmaking. While definitive biographical data is sparse, his extant works firmly place him within the tradition of design and ornamentation during the mid-eighteenth century.

Hess is represented in major North American museum collections by six documented works, five of which are prints. These pieces confirm his specialization in the production of highly detailed design studies intended for commercial application. The documented works consist predominantly of decorative plates drawn from the publication Collection of New Flowers of Taste for the Manufacture of Persian Cloth, Invented and Drawn by Jean Pillement. This suite of works demonstrates Hess’s technical proficiency in translating complex floral motifs and textile designs into reproducible engravings.

Five documented impressions of the work Bouquet, from Collection of New Flowers of Taste for the Manufacture of Persian Cloth, Invented and Drawn by Jean Pillement are held within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The consistent documentation of his work in this major collection underscores his significance as a reproductive printmaker. Today, these historical designs, available often as royalty-free images, remain important references for eighteenth-century textile and design history. High-quality prints of Hess’s decorative work can be examined globally through various public domain initiatives.