Wolf Huber facts for kids

Wolf Huber (around 1485 – June 3, 1553) was a talented German painter, printmaker, and architect. He spent most of his life working in Passau, Germany. Huber was an important artist in a group known as the Danube school.

Who Was Wolf Huber?

Wolf Huber was born in Feldkirch, Vorarlberg, a town that is now part of Austria. We know that by 1515, he had moved to Passau. Historians believe he was born around 1485 because his early works, from 1510-1515, show he was already a skilled and experienced artist.

We don't know much about how Huber learned to paint. He probably started in a family workshop, which was common for artists back then. He then likely traveled as a journeyman painter, learning from others. It's thought he visited northern Italy because his art shows he understood the styles of the Italian Renaissance. He also drew many local scenes, which tells us he explored places like the Salzkammergut region.

Huber's Career and Important Projects

After moving to Passau, Huber became the court painter for Duke Ernst of Bavaria in 1517. A court painter was an artist who worked specifically for a royal family or important leader. Duke Ernst was in charge of the local church area until 1540.

In 1529, another important person, Count Niklas II von Salm, hired Huber. The Count wanted Huber to rebuild Neuberg Palace near Passau. Only parts of the palace remain today, but they show that Huber added new sections in the Italian Renaissance style. These parts had beautiful, rich paintings. Huber also likely designed the reliefs (sculpted images) for the tomb of the Count's father, Niklas I von Salm. This tomb is now in the Votivkirche in Vienna. For his work on the palace, Huber received a special payment and a large house called Neufels.

When Count Wolfgang von Salm became the bishop of Passau in 1542, he kept Huber as his court painter. The bishop even made sure Huber didn't have to follow the strict rules of the local guild of painters. This was a special honor! Wolf Huber passed away in his house in Passau in 1553.

What Kind of Art Did Huber Make?

Sadly, none of Huber's buildings are still standing today. Also, only a few of his paintings have survived. The paintings we do have show that he was greatly influenced by the famous artist Albrecht Dürer. Some of Huber's works also show a style called Mannerism, which was popular at the time.

Most of Huber's portraits (paintings of people) are lost. We do have a few, like the paintings of the mintmaster Anton Hundertpfund and his wife (from 1526). There's also a unique portrait of Jakob Ziegler (from 1550). In this painting, the scholar is shown facing forward, with a wide view of the cosmos (the universe) behind him.

Huber made many drawings, and some of them suggest he created large paintings with many figures that are now lost. He also made thirteen woodcuts, which are prints made from carved wood blocks.

Huber's drawings were very popular and were copied by other artists. His landscape drawings, especially, look a lot like the works of another artist named Albrecht Altdorfer. Huber also influenced a draughtsman (someone who makes drawings) named Augustin Hirschvogel.

Images for kids

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  The Mourning of Christ (1524), by Wolf Huber.

See also

In Spanish: Wolf Huber para niños