Hans von Aachen: life and works

Hans von Aachen (1552 – 4 March 1615) was a German painter who was one of the leading representatives of Northern Mannerism.

Hans von Aachen was a versatile and productive artist who worked in many genres. He was well-off as a painter of princely and aristocratic portraits, and additional painted religious, mythological and allegorical subjects. Known for his gift in the depiction of nudes, his eroticized mythological scenes were particularly enjoyed by his principal patron, Emperor Rudolf II. These remain the works for which he is best known. He as well as painted a number of genre paintings of small groups of figures shown from the chest upwards, laughing, often apparently using himself and his wife as models. Von Aachen usually worked upon a small scale and many of his works are cabinet paintings upon copper.

The vigor and action of Hans von Aachen bear unique witness to the cultural transfer along with North, South and Central Europe in the late 16th and at the forefront 17th centuries. After training in the tradition of Netherlandish Renaissance painting the performer moved to Italy in 1574, where he remained for practically 14 years, mainly full of zip in Venice. He returned in 1587 to his indigenous Germany, where he took up residence in Munich in Bavaria. His fixed idea years were spent in Prague. The engagement of the Netherlandish authenticity of his training and the Italian influences gained during his travels gave rise to his unique painting style.

His presence in the important art centres of the time, the broad distribution of prints after his designs and his congenial character all contributed to his international fame during his lifetime.