Beham

Beham or Peham , name of two German Renaissance artists, brothers, who were both influenced by Dürer and later by Italian art. Hans Sebald Beham, 1500-1550, engraver, etcher, and miniaturist, with his brother, was banished from Nuremburg for freethinking in 1525. After some vicissitudes he settled in Frankfurt c.1532. His rare paintings have less interest than his engravings, of which he executed about 300, together with hundreds of etchings and woodcuts in a delicate technique. The subject matter varies from a Virgin and Child (1520) to the Labors of Hercules and Farmers' Dances. His brother, Barthel Beham, 1502-40, painter, engraver, and woodcut designer, worked, as did Hans Sebald for a time, for the dukes of Bavaria. His painted portraits are well known; that of Leonhard von Eck is in the Metropolitan Museum. His mature prints show clear composition and excellent technique. They include Virgin at the Window and portraits of King Ferdinand I and his brother, Emperor Charles V.

Beham, Sebald (b Nuremberg, 1500; d Frankfurt, 22 Nov. 1550) and Barthel (b Nuremberg, 1502; d Italy, 1540). German printmakers, brothers. They were expelled from Nuremberg in 1525 for making anarchistic and atheistic statements supporting the Peasants' Revolt. Although they were allowed to return later that year, Barthel soon left to work for Duke William IV of Bavaria in Munich and Sebald settled in Frankfurt in about 1531. Both brothers produced a great number of prints (engravings, etchings, and woodcuts), including illustrations to the Bible, mythology, and history, strongly influenced by Dürer. They also painted, and several impressive portraits by Barthel survive.

Beham, Sebald (1500–50) and Barthel (1502–40). German printmakers, brothers. They were expelled from their native city of Nuremberg in 1525 for their extreme Protestant views. Although they were allowed to return later that year, Barthel soon left to work for Duke William IV of Bavaria in Munich and Sebald settled in Frankfurt in about 1531. Both brothers produced a great number of prints (engravings, etchings, and woodcuts), including illustrations to the Bible, mythology, and history, strongly influenced by Dürer. They also painted, and several impressive portraits by Barthel survive.