Peter Flötner
Encyclopedia
Peter Flötner, also Flatner, Flettner, or Floetner (born around 1490 in Thurgau
, died 23 October 1546 in Nuremberg
) was a German designer, sculptor, and printmaker. He was an important figure in the introduction of Italianate Renaissance design to sculpture and the decorative arts in Germany, competing in this regard with the Vischer Family of Nuremberg
. He designed and produced work in a wide range of media, but "seems to have made only a modest living", unlike many of his contemporary artists.
with Adolf Daucher. Under his master's guidance he contributed to the goldwork in the Fugger Chapel. After an interlude in Italy, he became a master craftsman in Ansbach
. He moved to Nuremberg in 1522 and took the Bürgereid ( "Citizen oath"), described as a sculptor.
Two of his best free-standing sculptures are a nude man (Adam? - 34.5 cm tall) in limewood, in Vienna, and the figure of Apollo
firing a bow from the Apollo Fountain (Nuremberg).
As a printmaker he produced prints for other artists or artisans to follow as patterns: designs for furniture, altarpiece surrounds, or goldwork, and panels of ornament, as well as book illustrations, playing cards, and a decorative alphabet. He became increasingly a designer of works that were actually made by others, even in media such as gold or bronze that he was trained in himself. Reliefs, medals and similar objects were modelled in carved wood or wax, with drawings for other types of object. Small easily portable metal relief plaques and statuettes were produced in editions and, like his prints, played an important part in disseminating Italianate style across Northern Europe, following the pattern begun by the prints of Nuremberg's most famous artist, Albrecht Dürer
. His plaques appear in a variety of metals, but most often brass
, though lead, bronze and gilded ones (illustrated) are also found. At least 17 examples of one design are known. A collection of his prints and designs, the Kunstbuch, was published after his death in 1549.
As an architectural designer of interior decoration, Hirschvogel Hall and the Tucherschloss villa in Nuremberg are his work. He also made the triumphal arch of Emperor Charles V (no longer standing) and may have contributed to parts of Heidelberg Castle
.
Flötner was also interested in Vitruvius
's scientific work. Two years after Flötner's death, Petrejus of Nuremberg published the first German translation of Vitruvius, largely on the back of Peter Flötner's previous work. Like Durer and other artists, he is buried in the Johannisfriedhof cemetery.
Flötner received most attention around 1900. He was seen as one of the finest German architects of his time and a pioneer of Italianesque architecture in the north. Braun (see "sources") emphasized Flötner's importance for Renaissance art, and said "genius" was not too much praise for him. There was a 1945 exhibition of his work in the German National Museum.
Thurgau
Thurgau is a northeast canton of Switzerland. The population, , is . In 2007, there were a total of 47,390 who were resident foreigners. The capital is Frauenfeld.-History:...
, died 23 October 1546 in Nuremberg
Nuremberg
Nuremberg[p] is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. Situated on the Pegnitz river and the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, it is located about north of Munich and is Franconia's largest city. The population is 505,664...
) was a German designer, sculptor, and printmaker. He was an important figure in the introduction of Italianate Renaissance design to sculpture and the decorative arts in Germany, competing in this regard with the Vischer Family of Nuremberg
Vischer Family of Nuremberg
Vischer is the name of a family of sculptors active in Nuremberg between 1453 and 1549. The family contributed largely to the masterpieces of German art in the 15th and 16th centuries. Attribution between them can be confusing since they worked together out of the same workshop...
. He designed and produced work in a wide range of media, but "seems to have made only a modest living", unlike many of his contemporary artists.
Life and work
Flötner probably trained as a goldsmith in AugsburgAugsburg
Augsburg is a city in the south-west of Bavaria, Germany. It is a university town and home of the Regierungsbezirk Schwaben and the Bezirk Schwaben. Augsburg is an urban district and home to the institutions of the Landkreis Augsburg. It is, as of 2008, the third-largest city in Bavaria with a...
with Adolf Daucher. Under his master's guidance he contributed to the goldwork in the Fugger Chapel. After an interlude in Italy, he became a master craftsman in Ansbach
Ansbach
Ansbach, originally Onolzbach, is a town in Bavaria, Germany. It is the capital of the administrative region of Middle Franconia. Ansbach is situated southwest of Nuremberg and north of Munich, on the Fränkische Rezat, a tributary of the Main river. As of 2004, its population was 40,723.Ansbach...
. He moved to Nuremberg in 1522 and took the Bürgereid ( "Citizen oath"), described as a sculptor.
Two of his best free-standing sculptures are a nude man (Adam? - 34.5 cm tall) in limewood, in Vienna, and the figure of Apollo
Apollo
Apollo is one of the most important and complex of the Olympian deities in Greek and Roman mythology...
firing a bow from the Apollo Fountain (Nuremberg).
As a printmaker he produced prints for other artists or artisans to follow as patterns: designs for furniture, altarpiece surrounds, or goldwork, and panels of ornament, as well as book illustrations, playing cards, and a decorative alphabet. He became increasingly a designer of works that were actually made by others, even in media such as gold or bronze that he was trained in himself. Reliefs, medals and similar objects were modelled in carved wood or wax, with drawings for other types of object. Small easily portable metal relief plaques and statuettes were produced in editions and, like his prints, played an important part in disseminating Italianate style across Northern Europe, following the pattern begun by the prints of Nuremberg's most famous artist, Albrecht Dürer
Albrecht Dürer
Albrecht Dürer was a German painter, printmaker, engraver, mathematician, and theorist from Nuremberg. His prints established his reputation across Europe when he was still in his twenties, and he has been conventionally regarded as the greatest artist of the Northern Renaissance ever since...
. His plaques appear in a variety of metals, but most often brass
Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.In comparison, bronze is principally an alloy of copper and tin...
, though lead, bronze and gilded ones (illustrated) are also found. At least 17 examples of one design are known. A collection of his prints and designs, the Kunstbuch, was published after his death in 1549.
As an architectural designer of interior decoration, Hirschvogel Hall and the Tucherschloss villa in Nuremberg are his work. He also made the triumphal arch of Emperor Charles V (no longer standing) and may have contributed to parts of Heidelberg Castle
Heidelberg Castle
The Heidelberg Castle is a famous ruin in Germany and landmark of Heidelberg. The castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps....
.
Flötner was also interested in Vitruvius
Vitruvius
Marcus Vitruvius Pollio was a Roman writer, architect and engineer, active in the 1st century BC. He is best known as the author of the multi-volume work De Architectura ....
's scientific work. Two years after Flötner's death, Petrejus of Nuremberg published the first German translation of Vitruvius, largely on the back of Peter Flötner's previous work. Like Durer and other artists, he is buried in the Johannisfriedhof cemetery.
Flötner received most attention around 1900. He was seen as one of the finest German architects of his time and a pioneer of Italianesque architecture in the north. Braun (see "sources") emphasized Flötner's importance for Renaissance art, and said "genius" was not too much praise for him. There was a 1945 exhibition of his work in the German National Museum.
Works designed
- Choir stalls and organ in the chapel of Fugger in Augsburg, Germany - 1516-18
- Fountain in Mainz, 1526
- Apollo Fountain in Nuremberg, 1532
- Hirsvogelsaal (Hirschvogel Hall), composition, and interior
- Triumphal arch of Emperor Charles V, Nuremberg - 1541
- Ottheinrichsbau (design of the facade) of the Heidelberg Castle (not certain) 1546–50
External links
- Ornamental Prints in the Art Library of Berlin (Caution - no return link!)
- Press release on Hirschvogel Hall (PDF; 32 kB)
- Review by Barbara Dienst: Der Kosmos des Peter Flötner 2002