Swiss Renaissance goldsmith, painter and printmaker
1485 CE
to 1528 CE
Urs Graf (born c. 1485 in Solothurn, Switzerland; possibly died before October 13, 1528) is a Swiss Renaissance goldsmith, painter and printmaker (of woodcuts, etchings and engravings), as well as a mercenary soldier.
He only produces two etchings, one of which dates from 1513 – the earliest known etching for which a date has been established.
However, his woodcuts are considered of greater significance, particularly as he is attributed with the invention of the white-line woodcut technique, where white lines create the image on a black background.
He also produces a few engravings, including copies of works by Martin Schongauer and Albrecht Dürer.
He produces innovative drawings intended as finished works of art rather than just studies.