With the artist’s brush, he fought for a new understanding of the teachings of Christ. The meaning of his nickname is Green, art critics still can not decipher.
The European Reformation has become not only a period of a series of armed conflicts, but also an era of extraordinary artists. The Renaissance had already taken over and imitation of antiquity was in fashion. New forms and plots quickly took root and began to personify familiar values. The rebellion against the politics of Rome could not but be reflected in art. Hans Baldung also made his contribution to the formation of a new European style of painting.
early years
Hans was born in the early 1480s. in the old town of Schwäbisch Gmund in the alpine foothills. His father Johan did not belong to the nobility, however, he held a high status in society - he was a lawyer. The family was big. All of its members, through their scholarship and hard work, won the respect of fellow countrymen. Even before the birth of the future artist, the Baldungs were respected with the family coat of arms, it depicted a unicorn on a red shield.
Schwäbisch Gumond, Germany, where Hans Baldung was born
Just after the completion of the family, Johan was invited to Strasbourg, and he went there without hesitation. In a new place, he was awaited the post of prosecutor of the episcopal court. The official brought up his heirs, the eldest Caspar and the younger Hans, in the spirit of the times. He did not limit their circle of acquaintances and did not censor the topics of conversation. In the circle of friends of the parent, they met with revolutionary ideas already roaming around Germany.
Youth
Old Baldung hoped that his offspring would inherit his place. Only the eldest decided to continue the work of the dynasty. He will become a lawyer in the court of Strasbourg and the pride of his relatives. Hans in his teens delighted loved ones with a love of painting. In 1498, he begs his father to give him studies to the famous artist Shongauer in his hometown. Johan could not forbid his son to study, he was even glad about the successes of his child when he painted a picture for the Lichtenthaler monastery. The sister of the young painter spent her days in this monastery, he has the necessary education, experience and, most importantly, a unique style.
The house-museum of Albrecht Durer in the German city of Nuremberg. Workshop where young Hans Baldung worked
A thunderstorm erupted in 1503, when Hans announced that he would devote his life to creativity, and not to serving in the magistrate. Only the father blessed the son’s venture and escorted him to Nuremberg. This was not an escape - the young man sought to get acquainted with the already legendary Albrecht Dürer. Our hero prepared for the meeting with the idol - he took his work and sketches. When the master saw them, he immediately invited the guy to the students.
Art Life
The genius of German engraving considered Baldung equal to himself. The beginner soon became the right hand of the master, in addition to performing complex work, Dürer allowed him to make original drawings and sketches. With gratitude recalling the native land and a carefree childhood, our hero made stained-glass windows for churches in Schwäbisch Gmünde and Strasbourg. Sometimes the mentor made a speech about the fact that his student could begin to independently make his career as an artist by setting up his workshop.
Martyrdom of St. Sebastian (1507). Artist Hans Baldung
In 1509, Hans returned to his native Strasbourg. Parents are not waiting for him alone - a bride has already been prepared for her son - the daughter of a wealthy merchant Margaret Gerlin. The girl was delighted with the profession of the future spouse, therefore, after the wedding, she put all her dowry into the husband's business. Young Baldung opened a workshop in Strasbourg. Already in 1512, he accepted an invitation from Freiburg to place the altar of the local cathedral, and together with his wife went there for 5 years. Art historians find that the image of women on his canvases is far from ideal, but written out with great love. Perhaps his faithful and beloved wife served as a model for him.
Religious wars
Many of Baldung's creations aroused controversy in society. He depicted a number of ancient heroes as uniform murderers. The allusion to the Pope’s condemnation was clear to everyone. Baldung's saints too closely resembled ordinary German bourgeois, he carefully painted landscapes, not embellishing reality. When public discussion reached its climax, and in 1517 Martin Luther openly opposed the Catholic Church, the famous artist joined the rebels.
Coven. Artist Hans Baldung
Returning from Freiburg, the freethinker managed to get a place as a court painter of the Strasbourg bishop. The Holy Father was ready to forgive the geniuses for bold statements. The victory of the Reformation in the city put an end to this unusual friendship - the official Catholic lost funds to pay the painter. In the biography of Hans, a gloomy period of lack of orders and income could appear, but his art conquered Germany, and his paintings were bought by wealthy citizens and city magistrates to decorate public institutions.
Since 1509, Hans signed his work with the nickname Green. Some historians claim that it translates as "green." So the people called the artist who too often placed his characters on the lawns, while it would be more decent to place them in palaces. According to another version, this word is jargon and means "mocker." In the works of Baldung, one can notice satire on the representatives of power and Roman religious dignitaries.
