Heinrich Aldegrever
Heinrich Aldegrever, in the Low German language of his homeland actually Hinrik Trippenmäker, (* 1502 in Paderborn, † between 1555 and 1561 in Soest ) was a significant German engraver, painter and seal cutter of the Renaissance.
Life
Aldegrever was the son of middle-class shoemaker and his wife Katharina Hermann Trippenmäker. At this time in Paderborn no Malergilde be demonstrated, it is likely that Aldegrever had learned in Soest.
With about 19 years Aldegrever was taken around 1521 in Münster as a journeyman in the workshop of the painter Ludger tom Ring the Elder. His years of travel may have led to the Netherlands Aldegrever. Discussed are influences by Joos van Cleve and Jan Gossaert.
As a result Aldegrever worked in the then important Westphalian city of Soest am Hellweg. His early work thereat, the rule laid down in the Soest Wies Church Lady Altar from 1525 is arrested yet Catholic religious picture ideas. But the artist soon turned to reformatory ideas. He also moved away from painting, through to copper engraving, strongly influenced by his example Albrecht Dürer. Whether Aldegrever also self Dürer in Nuremberg, which certainly would be in the realm of possibility by analysis of his painting style, or whether it is modeled on Dürer's works must remain open. The reverence for the Nuremberg engraver found particular expression in the acquisition of its Signeform AD, almost unanimously cited the Aldegrever as AG.
Between 1526 and 1527 Aldegrever was awarded the civil rights of Soest. As a citizen he was taken out in the local painters' guild, in which he remained until his death. He belonged to the group of so-called Little Masters.
As an artist Aldegrever was so regarded, that even Franz von Waldeck, the Catholic Bishop of Münster gave to orders Lutheran artist again and again. Today are still known portraits of the defeated enemy episcopal Jan van Leyden and Bernd Knipperdolling.
It has often been ascribed to have been incidentally also worked as a goldsmith and fire glass painter Aldegrever. This can not be confirmed according to the latest research.
Aldegrever took political and religious influence in the introduction of the Reformation in Soest. On behalf of the Council invited and he accompanied the Reformers Gerd Omeken from Lippstadt in the town of Soest.