The Life and Art of Leonhard Rausch
Leonhard Rausch was a German landscape painter, copper engraver, and graphic artist. Born in Jülich, Germany, he became associated with the Düsseldorf school of painting. He studied at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, receiving instruction from Rudolf Wiegmann and Joseph von Keller. Rausch was a student of Johann Wilhelm Schirmer and was a member of the Künstlerverein Malkasten from 1848 to 1870.
His artistic output focused on several distinct themes, including landscapes of his homeland, classical landscapes featuring biblical motifs, and Alpine landscapes. In the 1840s, he gained recognition in Aachen through a series of steel engravings depicting significant historical buildings and squares. While he worked in etching, he eventually moved away from the practice because the acid used for the plates caused harm to his eyes.
Notable Works and Travels
Rausch’s travels were extensive, particularly through Alpine regions such as Switzerland and Tirol, which provided the primary subject matter for many of his oil paintings. His work was exhibited frequently, including seventeen times at the art and painting exhibition of the Kunstverein in Bremen between 1843 and 1890. He also exhibited in France, specifically in Besançon and Antwerp.
His catalog includes various works such as:
