Hopfer, Daniel (c. 1470–1536)

German engraver and designer. He is thought to be the first to have made prints by etching (as opposed to engraving). He produced some of the earliest original etched portraits, a number of religious illustrations (on Reformation lines), scenes of everyday life, such as village festivals, and a large number of reproductions of Italian art, which made him a significant popularizer of the Italian style in Germany.

Hopfer was born at Kaufbeuren, but from 1493 he was a citizen of Augsburg. He was also a designer of decorations, publishing 50 plates of ornamental motifs, which included Gothic foliage and Renaissance grotesques. Like other graphic artists of the time, he etched decoration on ceremonial parade armour, which formed a major part of his work.