- Joseph Heintz
Joseph Heintz (or Heinz) the Elder (b.
Basle ,11 June ,1564 ; d. nearPrague ,Bohemia , October, 1609) was a Swiss painter, draftsman and architect.He appears to have been a pupil of Hans Bock, and to have educated himself by diligent practice in copying the works of
Hans Holbein the younger . Between 1585 and 1587 he lived in Rome, registering himself a pupil; toHans von Aachen . He next settled in Bohemia in 1591, and was at once appointed court painter toRudolf II , but he remained in Prague for two years only, as in 1593 he was commissioned to make some copies from the antique for the emperor, and for that purpose went to Rome, where he spent some years. In 1604 we hear of him inAugsburg , and from the time we know little of his history, until his decease is recorded in a village outside of Prague.Heintz's paintings included religious images, portraits, and, following the emperor's taste, erotic mythological themes. They were at one time in high demand, but later on suffered an eclipse. Among them are a family portrait in
Berne and that of Rudolf II in Vienna. He was constantly investigating subtle questions of light, and almost all of his landscapes show the interest he took in this technical matter. A notable work by him is the "Rape of Proserpine", which hangs in the Dresden Gallery, and was engraved by Lukas Kilian; in the same gallery are two other works, "Lot and His Daughters" and "Ecce Homo". Finally there is his portrait ofConstance of Austria . He had a son, who bore the same name, and who painted a few religious pictures; several of these works hitherto attributed to the son are now believed to be late productions by the father.External links
*Catholic|Joseph Heinz
* [http://www.getty.edu/art/gettyguide/artMakerDetails?maker=3038 Biography] at theGetty Museum
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
