David Altenstetter

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David Altenstetter (* around 1547 in Colmar ; † in August 1617 in Augsburg ) was a goldsmith and enameller during the Renaissance . Emperor Rudolf II probably granted him the title of chamber goldsmith around 1610.

Life

Altenstetter settled in Augsburg in the period 1568–1570 and gained citizenship in the imperial city by marrying Catharina Jeger in 1573 , where he became a master goldsmith. There is a dispute with the blacksmiths' guild from 1588 because he bought clocks, chiseled their cases more richly and then sold them on. In the years 1587–1588 as well as 1594–1595 Altenstetter held the office of “1. Vorgehers “of the local goldsmith's guild . In 1598 he was questioned by the city council, who wanted to track down Anabaptists , on the question of his religious affiliation. He stated that he was neither Catholic nor Lutheran , but only followed the Bible . In 1600 he married Susanna Tressin for the second time. A daughter was born from his first marriage.

Works

As an enameller, Altenstetter developed into a master in deep-engraving enamel, whose work was very well received in southern Germany. In particular, silver plates , which he provided with the finest arabesques , animals, foliage or allegorical images, decorated objects. On a case-by-case basis, he also worked with others on an assignment. The art shrine of the Bavarian Elector Maximilian I made by Augsburg craftsmen is an example of this. It is questionable whether Altenstetter also made products from gold. His works, which have survived the ages and can be proven by his signature, are made of silver.

In 1589 he furnished cups with the enamelled Augsburg city arms. The following year he and Hubert Gerhard received an order to design the Mars-Venus fountain in the Fugger Castle in Kirchheim / Swabia . At the beginning of the 17th century he was an undisputed master of the ornamental grotesque .

Altenstetter's silver work adorned the Pomeranian art cupboard made between 1610 and 1617 . He skillfully decorated an imperial firearm that had a representative character. It is uncertain whether Altenstetter helped design the Rudolfinian house crown, created by Jan Vermeyen in 1602, in smaller details. In recognition of his work, Altenstetter is said to have been dubbed the court goldsmith of Rudolf II around 1610.

A complete silverware set from his workshop dates from 1615, the oldest preserved in Europe from post-Roman times. The 36- piece cutlery is decorated with foliage ornaments. The knife handles with enamel decorations bear Altenstetter's signature. At an auction in London on December 1, 2005, a US bidder acquired the cutlery plus three associated salt bowls for £ 1,240,000 .

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Exhibition catalog "Welt im Umbruch" , Volume 2, page 284. Augsburg 1980
  2. ↑ Bernd Roeck: Outsiders, marginal groups, minorities , page 50/51. ISBN 3-525-33591-1
  3. ↑ Entry "Pommerscher Kunstkasten" in: The large art dictionary by PW Hartmann , requested on April 2, 2009
  4. ↑ faz.net of November 7, 2005: Razor sharp: The Altenstetter cutlery , requested on April 2, 2009
  5. ^ "Augsburger Allgemeine" from December 2, 2005: US collector gets hold of Augsburg silver

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Altenstetter, David
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German goldsmith
DATE OF BIRTH around 1547
PLACE OF BIRTH Colmar
DATE OF DEATH August 1617
Place of death augsburg