Wenzel Jamnitzer

Wenzel, with his brother Albrecht, was trained by his father Hans the Elder. Later, Wenzel's son Hans Jamnitzer (1539–1603) and grandson Christof Jamnitzer (1563–1618) continued his business. Jamnitzer worked as a court goldsmith for all the German emperors of his era, including Charles V, Ferdinand I, Maximilian II, and Rudolf II. Also, he probably invented an embossing machine. In 1534, Jamnitzer settled in Nuremberg. He made vases and jewelry boxes with great skill, in a style based on that of the Italian Renaissance. Besides precious metals, he incorporated hardstones, shells, corals, and small birds' eggs in his works. In 1543 he was appointed as a coin and seal die-cutter by the city of Nuremberg. In 1552, he became master of the city mint. Jamnitzer performed scientific studies to improve the technical knowledge of his guild. In 1568 he published Perspectiva Corporum Regularium (Perspective of regular solids), a book remembered for its engravings of polyhedra. This book was based on Plato's Timaeus and Euclid's Elements, and it contained 120 forms based on the Platonic solids. From 1573, Jamnitzer represented the Goldsmiths on the Nuremberg city council. From 1571 to 1576, he worked with Johan Gregor van der Schardt, a sculptor. Jamnitzer died on 19 December 1585 and was buried in St. John's Cemetery in Nuremberg (grave No. His grave is decorated in bronze and has an epitaph by Jost Amman, an artist known for his woodcuts. Examples of his work can be seen in Vienna, the Louvre, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and elsewhere. Many of his works were probably melted down during the Thirty Years' War.

The recorded working language is German. The field of work recorded is engraving, visual arts and goldsmithing. Work by Wenzel Jamnitzer is recorded in the collections of Victoria and Albert Museum, Cleveland Museum of Art, Print Collection and British Museum.

His recorded language was German. He was the child of Hans Jamnitzer. 2 children are recorded: Hans Jamnitzer II and Maria Jamnitzer.

Wenzel Jamnitzer is recorded with the occupation design engineer. Recorded as goldsmith, stampcutter, printmaker, draftsperson and design engineer.