Hans von Aachen

Hans von Aachen (1552 – March 4, 1615), also known as Johann von Aachen or Jan van Achen, was a renowned German painter with an international career as a successful itinerant artist and court painter.

Born in Cologne on November 1, 1913, Hans von Aachen soon moved to various regions, including Italy, Bavaria and finally Prague, where he spent much of his life and work. His repertoire encompassed a wide range of works, including numerous portraits as well as allegorical, mythological and religious paintings, complemented by a wealth of engravings and drawings.

According to the records of the painter and writer Karel van Mander, Hans von Aachen showed an outstanding talent for drawing from an early age. His training began in his home town of Cologne with an unknown painter from Antwerp, where he became acquainted with the traditions of Flemish painting.

As early as 1574, von Aachen left his hometown for Italy. There he initially found employment in Venice and became part of the community of northern European artists and merchants. He later moved to Rome, where he honed his artistic skills and developed his own style while interacting with other artists such as Bartholomew Spranger and Hans Speckaert. Although many of his works from this period have been lost, surviving drawings bear witness to his work.

In Italy, von Aachen established a broad network of contacts with other artists, dealers and clients. His reputation grew and he received important commissions, including an engagement at the court of the Grand Duke of Tuscany Francesco I de’ Medici in 1585. This period shaped his artistic style, which showed a mixture of northern and southern European influences.

Around 1588, Hans returned from Aachen to Germany and settled in Munich, where he worked for the family of Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria. He later moved to Prague, where he was appointed chamber painter by Emperor Rudolf II in 1592. This appointment brought von Aachen not only artistic recognition, but also social advancement.

In Prague, Hans von Aachen reached the pinnacle of his career. He created a large number of works, including portraits, religious paintings and allegorical and mythological subjects, which were primarily intended for the imperial collections. His works were characterized by rich detail and pastel colors and were painted on various materials such as wood, canvas, copper, alabaster and marble.

After the death of Emperor Rudolf II in 1612, von Aachen continued his work at the court of his brother and successor Matthias. He died in Prague on March 4, 1615, leaving behind a significant artistic legacy.

Hans von Aachen’s work was often questioned in the 19th century and attributed to other artists. Only recently has his work received the recognition it deserves, particularly through exhibitions such as “Prague around 1600 – Art at the Court of Rudolf II” and “Rudolf II and Prague – The Court and the City”, which presented his work in the context of Rudolf’s court culture.

In 2010/11, the first comprehensive exhibition on the complete works of Hans von Aachen in Europe was organized, which provided a new perspective on his oeuvre.