(b Paderborn, 1502; d Soest, Westphalia, 1555–61). German engraver, painter and designer. He was the most important graphic artist in Westphalia in the 16th century. His reputation rests largely on his ornamental designs, which make up about one third of his c. 300 engravings. They were principally intended as models for metalworkers but were also adapted by other craftsmen for such decorative arts as enamel, intarsia and book illustration. Aldegrever followed Dürer and the Nuremberg LITTLE MASTERS, deriving models for his paintings and subject prints as well as a full repertory of Renaissance ornamental motifs: fig and acanthus foliage, vases and cornucopia, combined with putti and satyrs, tritons, mermaids and dolphins, sphinxes, masks and medallions. From the beginning of his career Aldegrever was aware of the artistic trends of the time: the Dürer influence was strongest at its outset yielding somewhat in work of the 1530s to Mannerist tendencies under Netherlandish influence, though never waning entirely.

• Aldegrever, Heinrich
  • Arms and armour, §II, 1(ii): European edged weapons, 1450–1630
  • Engraving, §II, 3(i)(a): Major exponents and their influences, c 1500–c 1600: Dürer
  • Münster
  • groups and movements
    • Little Masters
  • reproductive prints by others
    • Cartaro, Mario
    • Hollar, Wenceslaus, §1: Background and early travels, before 1636
    • Lorck, Melchior, §1: Travels in Europe and Turkey, to 1559
  • works
    • Germany, §III, 2(ii)(b): Renaissance painting and graphic arts: Work and influence of Dürer
    • Germany, §VI, 2: Furniture, 1510–1650
    • Prints, §II, 1(i): Subject-matter, before c 1700: Devotional, religious and moralizing
    • Roundel, stained-glass, §2: Design
    • Sweden, §V, 1: Interior decoration, before 1760