Biography

French engraver. Very little is known about his life and career. Only one of his engravings, the Apostles Contemplating Christ and the Virgin (1546) after Giulio Romano, bears a full name, 'Lion Daven'; all the others have merely the monogram 'L.D.', under which his work is usually catalogued (Master LD). Until Herbet's study, this monogram was taken to be the signature of the Fleming Léonard Thiry. Davent made engravings from 1540, turning to etching c. 1543-44. 221 plates are attributed to him.