Schongauer Martin (Schongauer Martin)

(1435/1440-1491)
Born in Colmar (Alsace), died in Breyzahe (Baden). About his life little is known. Youth he spent in the Netherlands, possibly working in the studio by Rogier van der Weyden. Paintings Schongauer preserved only in fragments, but only one, certainly its job - altarpiece in the church of Saint Martin in Colmar Madonna in the arbor of roses (1465-1470). In this work combines elegance and monumentality, which is unusual for a German painting of the era. Rather, brush Schongauer also belong to the leaf Altar Orlie (1465-1470, Colmar, Museum Unterlinden) and two small paintings - Holy Family (c.. 1480, Berlin - Dahlem). In the last years of his life Schongauer wrote fresco The Last Court (1489-1491) in the cathedral Breyzaha, but it is only partly preserved.
The value of creativity Schongauer determined by its contribution to the development of engraving. All the remaining 115 prints wizard is his monogram, which is often used, and other engravers of the time. Engraving related to the early period of his work, quite large in size and complex in composition. Among them: The Adoration of the Magi, Flight into Egypt, The Assumption, The Temptation of St.. Anthony and the Christ Carrying the Cross (all after 1470). The most significant work Schongauer - a series of 12 sheets of The Passion of the Christ. Engravings of the late period of creativity Schongauer different economical use of expressive means, such sheets, . as Christ Appearing to Mary Magdalene, . large empty space of white paper with striking contrast with the dense interweaving of strokes,
. Ornamental and heraldic compositions Schongauer are among the most exquisite works of late-graphics. He greatly expanded the arsenal of expressive means of engraving, very accurate and true in his works, conveying the nature of space and variety of textures of objects by means of light and shade. Many masters of engraving became models for other engravers, painters and sculptors not only in Germany but in France and Italy.