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Martin Schongauer was a German engraver and painter, and is considered by some art historians as the most important German engraver before Dürer. Some art historians even quote him as being the most famous German artist of all time. To date, more than 100 copper engravings and over 50 drawings have been attributed to Schongauer, with the possibility of many more surfacing. Most of his known paintings have yet to be authenticated or precisely dated.

Like so many other artists of his time, the details of Schongauer’s early life are little known. However, it is speculated that he was a highly prolific artist and created a great many paintings, etchings, drawings and altar pieces from his workshop. Though he was a painter of the German school, he settled in Colmar, France where many of his paintings, drawings and etchings exist today.

Like many other German artists of his time, it is believed by art historians that Schongauer most likely received his artistic training in the Netherlands. Like fellow German Gothic-era painter Stephan Lochner, Schongauer’s paintings and etchings mirror the style of artists from the Netherlands during that time, such as Rogier van der Weyden.

Very few of his oil painted canvases have survived, but even those are difficult to authenticate. This leaves a great possibility for unknown works of his to surface, unauthenticated and otherwise unknown.

Only one painting survives that art authenticators positively identify as being Schongauers’ and that is his famous “Madonna in the Rose Garden” which is still housed at the Saint-Martin Church in Colmar, France.

Some of his sketches are signed clearly with an “M” and an “S” separated by a cross, which can be seen here in these sketches.

Schongauer’s work was so beloved by the people in his lifetime that he was even given nicknames like “beautiful Martin” and “charming Martin.” He was even sought after as a master by future German artist Dürer, but the elder artist had sadly passed away before their instruction could begin. Schongauer had many followers in both his style of engraving and painting.

Today his work is housed all over Europe, many still in the churches and cathedrals for which they were created. Still wondering about a 15th century sketch, engraving or painting in your family’s estate? Contact us…it could be by Martin Schongauer.