Sebastian Andorfer

1517 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

portrait

The sitter of the portrait is Sebastian Andorfer (1469-1537), a top mining official of Schwaz in Tirol. His father held a prominent position in the mining administration at Schwaz, serving as 'Silberbrenner' (refiner of silver) from 1470 to 1499. Sebastian assumed the post in 1499 and occupied it until his death in 1537.

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About the Artist

Hans Maler

1480 – 1529

German painter. Hans Maler often signed his name Hans Maler zu Schwaz, from his home of Schwaz in the city of Tyrol, Austria. This was near the capital city of Innsbruck, where the Habsburg Court reined, under Ferdinand I (1503-1564), Archduke and later Holy Roman Emperor. Ferdinand I was a major patron of Maler, as was the wealthy merchant family, the Fuggers. Maler possibly received training in the School of Ulm under the German painter, Bartholomäus Zeitblom (1450-1519). His first known portrait work is a 1510 portrait of Mary of Burgundy, wife of The Emperor Maximilian I. His best works are portraits, with subjects generally appearing in bust-format, hands not shown, before a blue background that lightens towards the base.

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