Artwork
Der Kauffman (The Merchant)
Der Kauffman (The Merchant) is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hans Lützelburger. It dates from 1526 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Der Kauffman (The Merchant) is a woodcut print created around 1526 by Hans Lützelburger, a skilled German blockcutter.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a chaotic scene of people entangled in ropes and nets, with ships in the background. The title suggests a connection to commerce or greed, and the imagery may be a warning about the dangers of trade or financial entanglements.
Technique & Style
The work is a product of woodcut printing, a technique that allowed for mass production and dissemination of images across Europe during this period.
History & Provenance
Lützelburger was active in Augsburg from about 1516 until his death in 1526, and is known for his work on Hans Holbein the Younger's Dance of Death series, which he left unfinished.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Hans Lützelburger (died June 1526), also known as Hans Franck, was a German blockcutter ("formschneider") for woodcuts, regarded as one of the finest of his day.
