Born in Crandon, Wisconsin, Landeck graduated from Columbia University in 1927, and studied life drawing with George B. Bridgman at the Art Students League. He later met English printmaker Stanley William Hayter, and studied printmaking Hayter's Atelier 17. In 1928 and 1929, Landeck traveled in Europe. Returning to New York, he moved to to East Cornwall, Connecticut and devoted his time to printmaking and teaching. In 1931, he accepted a teaching position at the Brearly School in New York City and remained there until his retirement in 1958.

In the 1930s, Landeck created a series of city views that captured the feel of New York during that difficult period and which earned popular and critical acclaim, establishing his reputation as a skillful printmaker. He was elected a National Academician, a Guggenheim fellow, a member of the Society of American Etchers and Society of American Graphic Artists.