Nikolaus Knüpfer

Background

Nikolaus Knüpfer was born in 1609 in Leipzig, Germany.

Education

Knüpfer was trained in Leipzig, where according to Houbraken he was a student of Emanuel Nysen. In 1630 Knüpfer moved to Utrecht, where he studied with Mannerist painter Abraham Bloemaert.

Career

After his training, Nikolaus Knüpfer moved to Magdeburg where he found work making brushes for artists. He stayed there until 1630, and then moved to Utrecht to work with Abraham Bloemaert. He lived with him for two years and then established his own studio in Utrechеt. Knüpfer's paintings were characterized by sketchy technique and loose brushwork.

He also worked on the decorations of the castle Kronborg in Denemarken, and painted figures in the landscapes of Jan Both and Jan Baptist Weenix. Moreover, Knüpfer was a successful teacher, whose students were great painters after him, such as Jan Steen, Gabriel Metsu, Ary de Vois, and Pieter Crijnse Volmarijn.

Knüpfer died in 1655 in Utrecht, Netherlands.

Achievements

• Nikolaus Knüpfer was best known as a Golden Age painter of small scale paintings with biblical, literary, and mythological themes, in addition to the popular genre works of his day. Among his notable works were "Solon Before Croesus", "Arria and Paetus" and "Queen of Sheba Before Solomon".

Works

More photos

• painting

  • Christ Before Herod Antipas

  • Brothel Scene

  • Sophonisba

  • Die Entführung Des Glücks

  • Hercules Obtaining the Girdle of Hyppolita

  • Portrait D'un Couple

  • Arria and Paetus

  • Queen of Sheba Before Solomon

  • Zorobabel Devant Darius

  • De Gezanten Van Alexander De Grote Bekleden De Tuinman Abdalonymos Met De Insigniën Der Koningswaardigheid Van Sidon

  • Denial of Saint Peter

  • Scène Galante

  • Tobias En Sarah

  • Solon Before Croesus

Membership

In 1637 Nikolaus Knüpfer joined the Guild of Saint Luke as a visiting member.

• Guild of Saint Luke

  1637

Connections

Nikolaus Knüpfer married in 1637.

teacher:

Emanuel Nysen

colleague:

Abraham Bloemaert

Student:

Jan Steen

Student:

Gabriël Metsu

Student:

Arie Vois

Student:

Pieter Volmarijn