Aachen, Hans von (1552-1615)

German painter. He lived in Venice 1574-88 and on his return played a leading role in introducing Mannerism to Germany. He gained a high reputation as a portrait painter and in 1592 became court painter to Emperor Rudolf II in Prague, a position he also held under Rudolf's successor, Matthias.

His family were originally from Aachen (hence his name), though he was born in Cologne. Like many German artists of the period - notably Bartholomeus Spranger, whom he later joined in Prague - von Aachen moved to Italy, living in Venice but also paying long visits to Rome and Florence. In Italy his style acquired an Italian grace and roundedness of form, a warmer range of colours, and the elegant elongation of figures typical of Mannerism.

On his return to Germany he painted historical and religious scenes, but was best known for his portraits, being employed by such influential patrons as the Fugger family. Though appointed painter to Rudolf II in 1592 he did not move to Prague until 1597. There he was commissioned to paint mythological and allegorical subjects, such as The Triumph of Truth 1598 (Alte Pinakothek, Munich).

He also made many designs for sculptors and engravers, including the Hercules Fountain in Augsburg sculpted by Adriaen de Vries.