Military-trained technical innovator who develops breakthrough processes and strategically shares inventions with key stakeholders
Born in Utrecht, of Dutch origin, he became a German military officer, and was thought to have been influenced by REMBRANDT. In 1642 he invented the mezzotint process, sending a portrait of Landgravine Amelia Elizabeth of Bohemia to the Landgrave with a letter stating that the invention was his. He also disclosed his invention to Prince Rupert in Brussels in 1654. Only a handful of his prints exist.