Previously unknown Hans Baldung Grien portrait emerges after 500 years in the sitter's family

"A previously unknown drawing by the German Renaissance artist Hans Baldung Grien has been rediscovered in a wooden box belonging to the family of the woman who sat for the portrait 500 years ago. Drawings by Baldung are extremely rare, with only a handful known in private collections. One with a direct-line provenance by descent from the original sitter is an unprecedented find."

"Born in 1484/5 in Schwabisch Gmund to a family of academics, lawyers and doctors, Baldung broke the mold by eschewing university in favor of training as an artist. Between 1503 and 1507. he was a student of Albrecht Durer in Nuremberg and became so trusted by his master that by the end of his training, he was running the daily works of the studio."

"It was in Durer's workshop that he was given the nickname Grien, because of his preference for the color green in his personal style and art. He adopted the monicker so thoroughly that he integrated it into his signature monogram, HGB. He established his own studio in Strasbourg in 1510. Like his mentor, Baldung was multi-talented, excelling as a painter, printer, engraver and stained glass artist."

A previously unknown drawing by Hans Baldung Grien was rediscovered in a wooden box belonging to the sitter's family, providing direct-line provenance by descent. Drawings by Baldung are extremely rare, with only a handful in private collections. Baldung was born in 1484/5 in Schwabisch Gmund to a family of academics, lawyers and doctors and chose artistic training over university. He trained under Albrecht Durer between 1503 and 1507 and became trusted enough to run the studio's daily work. He adopted the nickname Grien and incorporated it into his monogram HGB, then established a studio in Strasbourg in 1510. Baldung worked across painting, printmaking, engraving and stained glass, earned acclaim for an 11-panel Freiburg Minster polyptych distinguished by vivid color and eccentric religious treatment, and addressed profane motifs like witchcraft, eroticism, death and time with frank sensuality. His portraits prioritized capturing subjects' character over meticulous depiction of features and clothing.

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