Illustrators 16th century
Erhard Altdorfer, a German Early Renaissance printmaker, painter, and architect, is renowned for his contributions to the arts during the 16th century. Born around 1480, Altdorfer's career flourished in Schwerin, where he served as a court painter and architect for the Dukes of Mecklenburg from 1512 until his death in 1561. His journey into the arts likely began under the guidance of his older brother, Albrecht Altdorfer, a prominent figure in the same era.
Altdorfer's early work possibly included collaboration with his brother in Regensburg. By 1512, his talents led him to Schwerin, marking the start of a significant phase in his career. His oeuvre includes various forms, from engravings and woodcuts to paintings and architectural designs. Notable among his works are contributions to the Lübeck Bible, showcasing his skill in woodcut illustrations. Despite the limited number of signed works, his contributions to printmaking and painting hold a place in the history of German Renaissance art. His works, reflecting a blend of influences, including from Lucas Cranach the Elder and Jacopo de' Barbari, demonstrate a unique interpretation of the Renaissance style.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, understanding Altdorfer's role within the context of the Early Renaissance and his contributions, especially in printmaking and painting, offers a nuanced appreciation of this period. His works, though not as prolifically signed as those of some contemporaries, remain significant for their historical and artistic value. To stay updated on new discoveries or auction events related to Erhard Altdorfer's works, consider signing up for updates to deepen your knowledge and collection of Renaissance art.
Giovanni Pietro Birago was an Italian painter, illuminator, and engraver for the Sforza court.
He worked from 1470 to 1513 in Brescia, Venice, and Milan, was a leading Milanese illustrator and was favored by the ducal court.
Robert Boyvin was a French illuminator who worked in Rouen between 1480 and 1536.
Robert came from the Boyvin family of booksellers, known since the early 15th century. He was part of a group of illuminators along with Jean Pichord, Jean Serpen, Etienne du Monstier and Nicolas Hisse.
Boyvin produced more than 80 surviving manuscripts, most of which were books of hours, and his style had a great influence on the Rouen workshops. From 1530, Boyvin also made some jewelry for Cardinal Georges d'Amboise.
Bernardo Castello (or Castelli) was an Italian painter of the late-Mannerist style, active mainly in Genoa and Liguria. He is mainly known as a portrait and historical painter. He was apprenticed under Andrea Semino and Luca Cambiaso, then travelled throughout Italy, meeting other painters and creating his own particular style. During his career he painted many works and was appreciated by famous poets with whom he had friendships. Beside working in Genoa, Castello was employed in Rome and worked also for the Duke of Savoy, Charles Emmanuel I.
Gherardo Cibo also known by the alias of Ulisse Severini da Cingoli was an artist and a herbalist from Italy. The herbarium that he began in 1532 is the oldest surviving example of the method invented in Italy by his contemporaries and is preserved in Rome. His illustrations of plants show plants in the foreground with landscapes and details of people and places in the background.
Philippe de Gueldre was a French painter, illustrator, and miniaturist from the Netherlands.
He worked on a large number of royal commissions in Paris and northern France at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. Philippe's style was influenced by Jean Columbus; he was characterized by wide-boned figures with round faces, long noses, and small red mouths. He makes generous use of blue and gold, burgundy and green in his palette.
Attavante degli Attavanti, also Gabriello di Vante, is the best known and most representative artist of Italian miniature painting.
Attavante's elegant, expressive style was influenced by the work of Domenico Ghirlandaio and Antonio Pollaiuolo. His first recorded work, dated 1483, is a missal created for Thomas James, bishop of the Dol-de-Bretagne. He subsequently created several manuscripts for Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary, and the Medici family, among whom was Pope Leo X. The workshop of Attavante also produced the Jerome Bible, one of the finest bibles created during the Italian Renaissance, now in the Portuguese National Archives.
Giuseppe Franco, an Italian painter active between 1565 and 1628, remains an enigmatic figure in the rich tapestry of art history. Known by various names, including Giuseppe Franchi, Giuseppe Monti, and Giuseppe dalle Lodole, his diverse monikers reflect the multifaceted nature of his work and the period's artistic fluidity.
Rooted in the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque, Franco's artistry is characterized by its dynamic compositions and emotional intensity. While specific details of his oeuvre are less documented, his known works suggest a mastery of form and color, embodying the evolving styles of his time. Franco's paintings, presumably found in Italian churches and private collections, would offer a glimpse into the religious and cultural narratives prevalent during his lifetime.
Franco's contributions to art and culture are significant for their historical context and the light they shed on the period's aesthetic developments. His style, indicative of the early Baroque's emerging vibrancy, would have played a role in the transition from the classical harmony of the Renaissance to the expressive drama of the Baroque.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Giuseppe Franco's works represent a fascinating puzzle piece of history, bridging gaps between known artistic milestones. His paintings, if extant, would be prized not only for their beauty but also for their historical value, offering insights into the era's shifting paradigms.
To explore the mystery and beauty of Giuseppe Franco's art and to stay informed about potential discoveries, sales, and auction events related to his work, signing up for updates is recommended. This subscription ensures direct access to the latest information, catering specifically to enthusiasts of historic art and antiques.
Joris Hoefnagel or Georg Hoefnagel was a Flemish painter, printmaker, miniaturist, draftsman and merchant. He is noted for his illustrations of natural history subjects, topographical views, illuminations and mythological works. He was one of the last manuscript illuminators and made a major contribution to the development of topographical drawing. His manuscript illuminations and ornamental designs played an important role in the emergence of floral still-life painting as an independent genre in northern Europe at the end of the 16th century. The almost scientific naturalism of his botanical and animal drawings served as a model for a later generation of Netherlandish artists. Through these nature studies he also contributed to the development of natural history and he was thus a founder of proto-scientific inquiry. Hoefnagel was a very versatile artist. He is known for his landscapes, emblems, miniatures, grotesques, topographical drawings, genre scenes, and mythological and allegorical drawings and paintings. Part of Hoefnagel's artistic works was kept by Constantijn Huygens his nephew. These works were seen by Dutch artists and exercised an important influence on the development of Dutch still life and naturalist art.
Hans Mielich was a German painter of the late Renaissance, mid-16th century. He is known as a painter, graphic artist, and court painter to Duke Albrecht V of Bavaria.
Mielich painted many religious paintings, portraits, and historical canvases (usually on boards), and he also decorated altars in churches. After a trip to Rome, his style became close to Italian Mannerism. His most famous work is the altarpiece of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Ingolstadt. He was also famous as the author of miniatures for manuscripts, including the Duchess Anna of Bavaria's Treasure Book, made for Duke Albrecht V and his wife Anna of Bavaria in 1555. In the same year, Milich became head of the Munich Artists' Guild.
Jean Pichore was a French painter, illustrator, and miniaturist.
He was one of the most famous and prolific illuminators in the production of horologers in Paris at the beginning of the 16th century. Between 1490 and 1521, he was head of a rather large workshop which carried out many orders, while he himself produced only selected works. Jean Pichore worked in many fields, including altarpiece painting, stained glass windows, tapestry designs and illuminated manuscripts.
Crispijn van de Passe the Elder was a Netherlandish engraver and publisher, renowned for his intricate and evocative engravings that spanned various subjects, including portraits, historical scenes, and mythological tales. His work contributed significantly to the art and culture of the time, capturing the complexities of human emotions and narratives in his prints.
Noteworthy is his engraving of Queen Elizabeth I, which highlights his proficiency in portraiture, illustrating the regal demeanor and significance of the English monarch in 1592. His series on "The Muses," specifically the depiction of Euterpe, showcases his skill in combining engraving with etching to portray the grace and inspiration associated with the muses of classical mythology. Furthermore, his work on "Liber Genesis," particularly "Aftermath of the Flood," demonstrates his ability to convey powerful biblical stories through his artistry.
Crispijn's family, including his children, continued his legacy in engraving, contributing to the family's reputation in the art world. His works are held in prestigious institutions worldwide, such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, underscoring their enduring appeal and significance in the history of art.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Crispijn van de Passe the Elder's engravings offer a glimpse into the artistic endeavors of the 16th and 17th centuries, reflecting the cultural and historical contexts of the time. To stay updated on sales and auction events featuring his works, consider signing up for updates, ensuring access to the latest offerings related to this distinguished artist's creations.
Jan van der Straet (Italian: Giovanni Stradano, Latin: Stradanus) was a Flemish and Italian Mannerist painter.
Van der Straet is best known for his large-scale frescoes, which decorate several important buildings in Florence and Rome. He also created numerous prints and paintings on a variety of subjects, including mythology, biblical scenes, and historical events.
One of his most famous works is a series of prints called Nova Reperta (New Discoveries), which depict some of the major technological advancements of the 16th century, such as the printing press, the compass, and the telescope. The series was highly influential and helped to spread knowledge and awareness of these new technologies throughout Europe.
Van der Straet was a highly skilled artist and his works are known for their attention to detail and realism. He was also a skilled draftsman and many of his drawings and sketches have survived to this day. His influence can be seen in the works of many later artists, including Rubens and Rembrandt.
Otto van Veen was a painter, draughtsman, and humanist active primarily in Antwerp and Brussels in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He is known for running a large studio in Antwerp, producing several emblem books, and for being, from 1594 or 1595 until 1598, Peter Paul Rubens' teacher. His role as a classically educated humanist artist (a pictor doctus), reflected in the Latin name by which he is often known, Octavius Vaenius, was influential on the young Rubens, who would take on that role himself.