Nikolaus Knüpfer

Jan Steen is recorded as having studied under Nikolaus Knüpfer. The recorded working language is German. The field of work recorded is painting. The authority associates the name with Baroque painting. Works named in the authority record are The legates of Alexander the Great investing the gardener Abdalonymus with the insignia of the kingship of Sidon and Scene from the marriage of Messaline and Gaius Silius, possibly an episode from a play. Work by Nikolaus Knüpfer is recorded in the collections of Minneapolis Institute of Art, J. Paul Getty Museum, Centraal Museum, Rijksmuseum and Statens Museum for Kunst.

• Name — Nikolaus Knüpfer • Birth Name — Nicolaes • Born — 1609 • Birthplace — Leipzig • Died — 1655 • Place of death — Utrecht • Field — Painting • Movement — Baroque

Knüpfer was born and trained in Leipzig, where according to Houbraken he was apprenticed to Emanuel Nysen. He then moved to Magdeburg where he found work making brushes for artists. He stayed there until 1630, and then moved to Utrecht to work with Abraham Bloemaert. He lived with him for two years and then established his own studio in Utrecht, where in 1637 he became a visiting member of the Guild of St. Luke. He worked on the decorations of the castle Kronborg in Denmark, and painted figures in the landscapes of Jan Both and Jan Baptist Weenix. Knüpfer was a successful teacher, whose students were great painters after him, such as Jan Steen, Gabriel Metsu, Ary de Vois, and Pieter Crijnse Volmarijn.

Knüpfer painted small scale paintings with biblical, literary, and mythological themes, in addition to the popular genre works of his day. His figures are often in unusual poses, and painted with flowing lines with white accents. • Illustration — Couple portrayed with children both alive and dead. • Illustration — Hercules Obtaining the Girdle of Hyppolita • Illustration — Sophonisba, by 1635 • Illustration — Zerubbabel Before Darius, after 1644

• Illustration — Knupfer's scene from the Book of Tobit where Tobias and Sarah pray while the Angel Raphaël drives away the demon. • Illustration — Same scene several years later by his pupil Jan Steen, Museum Bredius.

The authorities additionally record the headings Nicolaus Knufer, Nikolaus Knupfer, Nicolaus Knipper, Nicolaus Knüpfer and Nikolaus Knippert. His recorded language was German.

Works recorded as notable number 2: The legates of Alexander the Great investing the gardener Abdalonymus with the insignia of the kingship of Sidon and Scene from the marriage of Messaline and Gaius Silius, possibly an episode from a play.