Israhel van Meckenem

Israhel van Meckenem the Younger ( * 1440, † November 10, 1503 in Bocholt) was an important engraver of the 15th century in Germany. Already by his contemporaries of the students of the Master ES was considered one of the greatest masters of this art direction.

His workshop was located in Bocholt. Due to their origin from Meckenheim in the Rhineland, the family of the artist led the Low German name van Meckenem, Mecke home. His father was Israhel Meckenem van the Elder.

1465 he worked in Kleve and 1482 Israhel van Meckenem was demonstrably working for the Council of the city of Bocholt. With 550 engravings van Meckenem has left the most comprehensive of all the engravers of the 15th century. Besides our own work Israhel van Meckenem also produced many engravings after works by Albrecht Dürer, Hans Holbein the Elder, Martin Schongauer, among other things, taking also appeared as publisher.

Among the best known works by the artist include the sequence of twelve leaves of the scenes from the everyday life. An important art historical document for the late 15th century is the double portrait of the artist with his wife Ida. Very nice, allegorical and moral stitches of lovers originated in the time 1495-1503. A drawing from his grave stone is said to have been preserved in the British Museum.