Barthel Beham

Barthel Beham was a German engraver born in 1502 and died in 1540. He was the younger brother of Hans Sebald Beham and was part of a group of artists known as the Kleinmeister, or "Little Masters," who were renowned for their small, intricate prints. The Kleinmeister, including Barthel, his brother, and Georg Pencz, were influenced by the classical style of Albrecht Dürer and likely worked in his studio. In 1525, Barthel and his brother were temporarily banned from Nuremberg due to their religious views. Barthel's work, like that of his contemporaries, was characterized by brilliant detail on small copper plates, a technique central to the art of engraving.