John Droeshout

John Droeshout was a printmaker active between 1635 and 1692. Based on extant records, his output consists primarily of engraved portraits and frontispieces, establishing him as a practitioner of book illustration and historical portraiture during the mid-to-late 17th century.

Droeshout’s known oeuvre is documented through six prints represented in major museum collections, illustrating his specialization in detailed graphic work suitable for publication. These works often served as introductions to important texts or depicted contemporary figures. Notable among the works held in museum collections are the portrait of Richard Elton, the frontispiece for Complaint of the False Prophets by John de La Marche, and illustrations for John Babington’s Pyrotechnia, including a separate print titled Pyrotechnia. These pieces are indicative of the historical and scientific subjects that utilized his skill as an engraver.

Today, the work of John Droeshout is preserved in prominent institutions, including the National Gallery of Art. The accessibility of his artistry ensures that these historical works remain available. Many of his historical prints are now considered public domain resources, allowing for the generation of high-quality prints and downloadable artwork derived from his original engravings.