Hans Baldung, also known as Hans Baldung Grien, was a German artist in painting and printmaking who was considered the most gifted student of Albrecht Dürer. Throughout his lifetime, Baldung developed a distinctive artistic style, full of color, expressive and often erotic. His talents were varied and he produced a large body of work including altarpieces, portraits, mythological and allegorical works, as well as an impressive collection of woodcuts and engravings.
Born around 1484 in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baldung came from an intellectual family. He likely began his apprenticeship around 1500 in the Upper Rhine region before joining Dürer's workshop in Nuremberg around 1503. During his time there, he earned the nickname "Grien" (green), possibly from his preference for the color. After leaving Dürer's workshop, he became a master painter in Strasbourg in 1510, where he spent most of his career.
Baldung's most significant commission was the high altar for the Freiburg Minster (1512-1516), a monumental work that showcased his mastery of both religious narrative and atmospheric color. His religious works often display an intensity and emotional depth that set them apart from his contemporaries. He was also known for his secular works featuring witches and supernatural themes, which were unprecedented in their boldness. Baldung remained active until his death in Strasbourg in 1545.
