15. jahrhundert
Ludwig Michael Schwanthaler, ennobled as Ritter von Schwanthaler, was a Bavarian sculptor and a key figure in the Classical movement in southern Germany. He was born on 26 August 1802 in Munich to a family that had been involved in sculpture for centuries.
Schwanthaler's journey began under his father's tutelage before he formally trained at the Munich Academy. His talent was so profound that he received commissions from royalty and mentorship from the likes of Peter von Cornelius. He further honed his skills in Rome, where he was influenced by Bertel Thorvaldsen. Returning to Munich, Schwanthaler met the demands for sculpture head-on, collaborating with architects and painters to revive the arts in Bavaria.
Among his many works, the statues in the Neues Palais and the figures in the Alte Pinakothek are notable. His versatility also shone in sacred art, with his contributions to St Ludwig and St Mariahilf churches. The Ruhmeshalle's metopes and the monumental Bavaria statue demonstrate his artistic bravery. Schwanthaler's life was dedicated to his craft, and upon his death on November 14, 1848, he bequeathed his models and studies to the Munich Academy, forming the Schwanthaler Museum.
For art enthusiasts, Schwanthaler's legacy offers a deep dive into classical sculpture's golden age. His works remain a testament to the neoclassical aesthetic and are celebrated for their historical and artistic significance.
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Heinrich Bürkel was a German artist of the mid-nineteenth century. He is known as a painter and graphic artist, representative of the Biedermeier style.
Heinrich Bürkel specialized in genre and landscape paintings, especially winter landscapes. He often used Staffage and depicted animals. His work showed the influence of the old Dutch and Italian masters. Bürkel enjoyed great popularity, his paintings were actively acquired for private collections, including in America. The master painted about 1000 paintings and created about 6000 drawings.
Eduard von Grützner was a German painter of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He went down in the history of European art as a portrait painter and a brilliant master of genre.
Eduard von Grützner in most of his paintings depicted the life of monks, who usually appear to the audience in the images of merry rioters, leading a not ideal lifestyle. The public liked the original humorous style of the painter, and Grützner's work had many admirers.
Grützner was awarded the Royal Order of St. Michael and also received the title of honorary professor at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts. He also became a Knight of the Order of Civil Merit of the Bavarian Crown and received the title of nobleman, with the prefix "von" added to his last name.
Von Grützner is also known as a collector of art and antiques. For many years he collected masterpieces of the Gothic and Renaissance masters, and towards the end of his life he became interested in Far Eastern art.
Carl Jutz the Elder was a German animal painter best known for his paintings of domestic birds.
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, a Dutch Baroque painter and printmaker, was born on July 15, 1606, in Leiden, Netherlands, and died on October 4, 1669, in Amsterdam. He is celebrated as one of the greatest storytellers in art history, acclaimed for his adept portrayal of human emotions and dramatic narratives. Rembrandt's extensive oeuvre includes portraits, self-portraits, landscapes, genre scenes, allegorical, historical, and biblical themes, as well as animal studies. His artistry shined during the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by cultural and scientific achievements in the Netherlands.
Rembrandt's education in art began around the age of 10 when he left the Latin School in Leiden to train as an artist. He apprenticed with artists like Jacob van Swanenburg and Pieter Lastman, mastering various aspects of painting. He opened his own studio in Leiden around 1624 or 1625, sharing it with his colleague Jan Lievens. By 1631, he had moved to Amsterdam, where he achieved significant success and trained many important Dutch painters.
Among Rembrandt's notable works are "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp" (1632), "The Night Watch" (1642), and "The Syndics of the Amsterdam Drapers’ Guild" (1662). He was also renowned for his self-portraits, creating around 80 over his lifetime, more than any other artist until the 20th century. These self-portraits were not just artistic endeavors but also experiments with facial expressions and lighting effects. Additionally, Rembrandt was a master etcher, transforming etching from a reproductive technique into an art form.
Rembrandt's painting style is characterized by its dramatic use of light and shadow, known as chiaroscuro. His ability to depict materials realistically was unparalleled; his portrayal of metals and fabrics was so lifelike that they appeared to glow and be tangible. He was also known for his impasto technique, applying paint thickly to the canvas, adding a three-dimensional quality to his works.
Despite his artistic prowess, Rembrandt faced financial difficulties and personal tragedies throughout his life. He declared bankruptcy in 1656, a downfall attributed partly to his extensive collection of art objects and curiosities. His masterpieces, however, continued to garner appreciation and influence generations of artists that followed.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Rembrandt's works represent a pinnacle of artistic achievement in the Dutch Golden Age. His mastery in portraying the human condition and his innovative techniques in painting and etching make his works highly prized and influential in the art world.
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Bernardino Luini, born in Runo, Lombardy around 1481, remains a significant figure in the 16th-century Lombard school of painting. A key member of the Milanese second Leonardo movement, he, along with Cesare da Sesto and Giampietrino Francesco Melzi, contributed to the essence of this artistic era. Luini's journey into art was accompanied by his marriage to Margherita Lomazzo in 1510. Among their four sons, Giovan Pietro and Aurelio followed their father's footsteps, becoming painters themselves. Influenced profoundly by Raphael's work, Melozzo da Forlì, and Leonardo da Vinci, Luini skillfully blended Leonardo's techniques with his own innovations. His Salome with the Beheading of John the Baptist (Uffizi) draws inspiration from Leonardo's La Scapigliata, while his Holy Family with the Infant John (Prado) echoes Leonardo's lost original sketch of affectionate children.
Luini's artistic journey began with the disputed but noteworthy Madonna with the Child and Two Saints (1507), now exhibited in Paris's Musée Jacquemart-André. One of his remarkable works, Madonna della Buonanotte, can be found in the Chiaravalle Milanese monastery. This painting held a unique purpose – after evening prayers, passing monks would be greeted by the artwork, offering them a peaceful night's rest. In later years, Luini's focus shifted to fresco painting. Notably, his captivating depictions of the Crucifixion in Lugano's Santa Maria degli Angioli church and the small-scale Crucifixion in San Nazario in Dino, a subdivision of Sonvico, are celebrated masterpieces that showcase his skill.
Bernardino Luini's legacy endures as a testament to his mastery of Lombard Renaissance art. His fusion of Leonardo's influence with his own creative brilliance left an indelible mark on the artistic landscape of the 16th century, making him an integral part of the Milanese second Leonardo movement.
Marco Antonio Bassetti was an Italian painter.
Carlo Dolci was a mature Baroque Florentine painter. He is known for his paintings on religious themes.
Jean-Marc Nattier was a French painter. He is noted for his portraits of the ladies of King Louis XV's court in classical mythological attire.