Glass painters 16th century
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.
To stay informed about new discoveries, exhibitions, and auction events related to Hans Baldung's art, signing up for updates can provide enthusiasts and collectors with valuable insights into the enduring legacy of this remarkable artist. This subscription service is designed to alert subscribers to new product sales and auction events specifically related to Hans Baldung, ensuring that they remain at the forefront of developments in the field of Renaissance art and antiques.
Jörg Breu the Elder of Augsburg, was a painter of the German Danube school. He was the son of a weaver. He journeyed to Austria and created several multi-panel altarpieces there in 1500–02, such as the Melk Abbey altar (1502). He returned to Augsburg in 1502, where he became a master. He travelled to Italy twice, in ca. 1508 and in 1514/15.
Hans Jakob Nüscheler the Elder was a Swiss painter, graphic artist and engraver. He was also a highly sought-after stained glass artist. Nüscheler the Elder's clients included the Pope, his envoys and influential locals.
The master's work can be found in various museums in Switzerland.
Bernard Palissy was a French natural scientist, painter, ceramicist and sculptor, geologist and writer of the French Renaissance.
Born into a family of artisans, Palissy apprenticed with his father as a glass artist and traveled throughout southwestern France comprehending pottery and studying geology. Today he is best known for his amazing lead-glazed pottery with images of various animals and people. After seeing a white glazed cup, probably of Chinese porcelain, in the 1540s, he set out to learn the secrets of its manufacture. His early research is described in De l'art de la terre. Although Palissy never succeeded in reproducing what he saw, his experiments gave him a thorough knowledge of the chemical compositions of minerals.
From 1575 in Paris, Palissy gave public lectures on natural history, which were published as Discours admirables (1580). In this treatise, Bernard Palissy touches on an incredibly wide range of subjects, from the techniques of ceramics, metallurgy and chemistry to hydrology, geology and fossils. He correctly identified fossils as the remains of ancient life. This work reveals him as a writer and scientist, a creator of modern agronomy and a pioneer of the experimental method, with scientific views generally more advanced than those of his contemporaries.
Hendrik van Balen the Elder was a Flemish Baroque painter and stained glass artist, member of the Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp.
Hendrik van Balen specialized in small cabinet paintings, often painted on copperplate. The artist's work was inspired by mythological and allegorical as well as religious subjects. The artist played an important role in the renewal of Flemish painting at the beginning of the 17th century and was one of Antoni van Dyck's teachers.
Hans von Kulmbach was an early sixteenth-century German artist. He is known as a painter, graphic artist, and draftsman for woodcuts.
Kulmbach specialized in historical paintings and portraits known for their softness, harmony and subtle transitions in colors. The master's most notable works were stained glass windows in churches, including Maximilian's stained glass window in St. Sebalde Church in Nuremberg. He also created the altars of St. Mary's, St. Catherine's and St. John's in Kraków. His works were renowned for their quality artwork and light and shadow technique.