Hans Baldung Grien

Published in 2019 to coincide with the major retrospective exhibition at the Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe, this monograph serves as a definitive scholarly examination of Hans Baldung Grien, a pivotal figure in the German Renaissance. Holger Jacob-Friesen, the curator and director of the museum, authored this work to synthesize decades of research into the artist’s complex iconography, particularly his fascination with witchcraft, death, and the supernatural. The publication functions as both a comprehensive catalogue raisonné and a contextual study of Baldung Grien's departure from the shadow of his mentor, Albrecht Dürer, to establish his own distinct, visceral artistic language.

The design of the volume reflects a modern academic approach, prioritizing high-resolution reproductions of Baldung Grien's woodcuts, drawings, and paintings to highlight the artist’s sophisticated use of line and color. By placing his work within the religious and social upheavals of the early 16th century, the book aims to provide a bridge between specialized art historical discourse and the contemporary appreciation for the darker themes in Northern Renaissance art. Upon its release, the work was well-received by the international art community for its depth of detail and its clear contribution to the understanding of South German print culture.