Who painted Ulrich Schwaiger (?)?

Ulrich Schwaiger (?) was painted by Hanns Lautensack in 1554.

Where can I see Ulrich Schwaiger (?)?

Ulrich Schwaiger (?) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Ulrich Schwaiger (?)?

Ulrich Schwaiger (?) is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Ulrich Schwaiger (?)

Hanns Lautensack , 1554

Ulrich Schwaiger (?) is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hanns Lautensack. It dates from 1554 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The print is an etching executed in 1554, showing a solitary figure seated at a desk.

About this work

Overview

The print is an etching executed in 1554, showing a solitary figure seated at a desk. He holds a metal cup in his right hand while his left rests on a sheet of paper. A small, finely rendered portrait appears in the upper left, and the background opens onto a landscape of buildings and distant mountains, creating a contemplative atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure, dressed in a high‑collared robe and hat, appears absorbed in thought, his gaze directed toward the viewer. The inclusion of the miniature portrait suggests a layered narrative, perhaps referencing a personal or scholarly identity, while the surrounding scenery reinforces a sense of quiet reflection within a broader world.

Technique & Style

Executed with fine lines characteristic of mid‑16th‑century German etching, the work balances delicate hatching with broader strokes to model fabric, metal, and landscape. The precision of the small portrait demonstrates the artist’s skill in rendering detail on a modest scale, while the overall composition reflects the period’s interest in integrating figure study with atmospheric background.

History & Provenance

The piece was created by Hanns Lautensack, a German etcher born in Bamberg in 1524 and the son of painter Paul Lautensack. He worked primarily in Nuremberg before relocating to Vienna around 1556, possibly at the behest of Emperor Ferdinand I. This etching dates from his productive Nuremberg period.

Context

Lautensack’s work belongs to the Northern Renaissance, a time when printmaking expanded the reach of artistic ideas. His etchings often combined portraiture with genre scenes, reflecting the era’s fascination with individual identity and the interplay between the private and public spheres.