Who painted Martin Schongauer (1450-1491)?

Martin Schongauer (1450-1491) was painted by Hans Burgkmair the Elder in 1492.

Where can I see Martin Schongauer (1450-1491)?

Martin Schongauer (1450-1491) is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Martin Schongauer (1450-1491)?

Martin Schongauer (1450-1491) is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

Martin Schongauer (1450-1491)

Hans Burgkmair the Elder , 1492

Martin Schongauer (1450-1491) is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Hans Burgkmair the Elder. It dates from 1492 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Hans Burgkmair the Elder painted a portrait of the German engraver Martin Schongauer in 1492. Executed on a softwood panel, the work presents a sober, monochrome likeness that emphasizes the sitter’s facial features. The painting resides in Munich’s Alte Pinakothek, where it is displayed among other late‑15th‑century German works.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait captures Schongauer, a prominent artist of the Northern Renaissance, with a composed expression and neatly trimmed beard. His dark hair and modest attire suggest a focus on his intellectual stature rather than social rank, reflecting contemporary conventions for depicting learned men.

Technique & Style

Burgkmair employs subtle gradations of light and shadow to model the face, creating a three‑dimensional effect within a flat, dark background. The restrained palette and careful handling of chiaroscuro highlight the contours of the eyes, nose, and jaw, demonstrating the artist’s skill in rendering volume on a wooden support.

History & Provenance

Completed shortly after Schongauer’s death, the portrait entered the Bavarian royal collection and was later transferred to the Alte Pinakothek. Its survival on a softwood panel attests to the durability of Northern European panel painting practices of the late 1400s.