Hans Baldung (Grien, 1484 - 1545)

Hans Baldung (1484 - 1545) - photo 1

Hans Baldung

Hans Baldung, also known as Hans Baldung Grien, was a prominent figure in the German Renaissance, celebrated for his innovative approach to painting, printmaking, and drawing. Born around 1484 in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany, and passing away in 1545 in Strasbourg, France, Baldung's career was marked by a distinctive style that art historians have associated with the mannerist tendencies of the time. His work is notable for its exploration of themes such as the imminence of death, the complexities of human sexuality, and scenes of witchcraft, distinguishing him from his contemporaries with a bold and unique artistic voice.

Educated in the workshop of Albrecht Dürer, Baldung quickly developed his own artistic language, absorbing and then transcending Dürer's influence. He is particularly renowned for his altarpieces, portraits, and a series of works that delve into eroticism and the supernatural. Among his most significant contributions is the high altar of the Freiburg Münster, an eleven-panel masterpiece depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary, which remains a testament to his mastery over religious subjects even as he ventured into more secular and profane themes​.

Baldung's fascination with witchcraft and his portrayal of witches in art were groundbreaking for the time. His works in this area, such as "The Witches' Sabbath" and "Weather Witches," reveal a complex interplay of humanist thought, classical literature, and contemporary beliefs about witchcraft. They offer a nuanced perspective that blends satire with a deeper commentary on human nature and societal fears, marking Baldung as a pioneer in the visual exploration of these themes​​.

Despite his engagement with the themes of death and witchcraft, Baldung's oeuvre is also rich in portraits characterized by sharp individualization and psychological depth, as well as altarpieces that convey a profound spiritual and theological insight. His ability to navigate between the realms of the divine and the earthly, the solemn and the profane, solidifies his position as a versatile and innovative artist of the Renaissance​​​​.

For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Hans Baldung's work offers a unique window into the confluence of Renaissance artistry, humanist thought, and the socio-religious dynamics of early 16th-century Europe. His paintings and prints not only adorn museums and galleries worldwide but also continue to inspire and provoke deep reflection on the human condition.

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Nickname:Grien
Date and place of birt:1484, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany
Date and place of death:September 1545, Strasbourg, France
Nationality:Germany
Period of activity: XV, XVI century
Specialization:Artist, Engraver, Glass painter, Painter, Portraitist
Genre:Allegory, Nude art, Mythological painting, Portrait, Religious genre
Art style:High Renaissance, Mannerism, Renaissance, Old Masters

Creators Germany

Luigi Colani (1928 - 2019)
Luigi Colani
1928 - 2019
Alexander Timtschenko (1965)
Alexander Timtschenko
1965
Karl Otto Götz (1914 - 2017)
Karl Otto Götz
1914 - 2017
Lorenzo Quaglio (1793 - 1869)
Lorenzo Quaglio
1793 - 1869
Ernst Deger (1809 - 1885)
Ernst Deger
1809 - 1885
Friedrich Carl Gröger (1766 - 1838)
Friedrich Carl Gröger
1766 - 1838
Markus Prachensky (1932 - 2011)
Markus Prachensky
1932 - 2011
Basilius Besler (1561 - 1629)
Basilius Besler
1561 - 1629
Thomas Grochowiak (1914 - 2012)
Thomas Grochowiak
1914 - 2012
Yves Galgon (1948)
Yves Galgon
1948
Willi Voss (1902 - 1973)
Willi Voss
1902 - 1973
Markus Matthias Krüger (1981)
Markus Matthias Krüger
1981
Paul Emil Rumpf (1860 - 1948)
Paul Emil Rumpf
1860 - 1948
Rudolf Rehbeil (1904 - 1984)
Rudolf Rehbeil
1904 - 1984
August Voigt-Fölger (1837 - 1918)
August Voigt-Fölger
1837 - 1918
Victor Popov (1952)
Victor Popov
1952

Creators High Renaissance

Franz Joachim Beich (1665 - 1748)
Franz Joachim Beich
1665 - 1748
Blas de Prado (1540 - 1599)
Blas de Prado
1540 - 1599
Rutilio di Lorenzo Manetti (1571 - 1639)
Rutilio di Lorenzo Manetti
1571 - 1639
Jooris van der Straeten (XVI century - 1577)
Jooris van der Straeten
XVI century - 1577
Paolo Fiammingo (1540 - 1596)
Paolo Fiammingo
1540 - 1596
Domenico Cresti (1559 - 1638)
Domenico Cresti
1559 - 1638
Giacomo Raibolini (1486 - 1557)
Giacomo Raibolini
1486 - 1557
 Pseudo-Roestraten (1675 - 1724)
Pseudo-Roestraten
1675 - 1724
Pietro Paolo Bonzi (1573 - 1636)
Pietro Paolo Bonzi
1573 - 1636
Frederik van Valckenborch (1566 - 1623)
Frederik van Valckenborch
1566 - 1623
Christophe Huet (1700 - 1756)
Christophe Huet
1700 - 1756
Gerard van Honthorst (1592 - 1656)
Gerard van Honthorst
1592 - 1656
Dalmasio di Jacopo Scannabecchi (1315 - 1374)
Dalmasio di Jacopo Scannabecchi
1315 - 1374
 Monogrammist L.C. (XVI century - ?)
Monogrammist L.C.
XVI century - ?
Francesco Bassano II (1549 - 1592)
Francesco Bassano II
1549 - 1592
Giovanni Battista Castello (1509 - 1569)
Giovanni Battista Castello
1509 - 1569
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