Johann Martin Krafft

Johann Martin Krafft (also: Johann Martin Crafft or Johann Martin Craft; * March 30, 1738 in Vienna; † June 14, 1781 in Munich) was a medalist and coin die cutter. Like his father, he initially learned the art of goldsmithing, but then devoted himself to the art of engraving and became one of the best die cutters of his time. He traveled through Germany, France and Italy. In 1770 he worked in Vienna, was appointed as an imperial medalist in Milan and then went to Munich, where he died in July 1781. Four hours before his death he had drawn the design of his tomb. The Elector had the Mannheim court sculptor Augustin Egell erect a monument for him at the Brothers of Mercy. His student was the Austrian Martin Lerner, who accompanied him on his travels for twelve years.