Hans Beham (1480–1533)

Hans Beham[a] (born circa 1480 in Nuremberg, died 1533 in Kraków) was a German bell-founder and artillery craftsman in the service of King Sigismund I the Old.

[1][2] As early as 1501–1502, he sold cannon barrels to Bamberg, and in 1506, he established business relations with Duke Frederick III.

In 1511, he collaborated with his nephew, Sebald Behaim the Elder, to cast a relatively large bell for the parish church in Bayreuth.

From this time, he appeared in the city's municipal records, listed as "Hannes Beham boxe magister" or "Meister Hans Buchsergisser".

This unsigned bell, still preserved, is considered his work based on stylistic features such as decorative motifs and the antiqua-like letter case used in the inscription.

[11] Below the plaque with Stanislaus of Szczepanów, the inscription "IOANNES BOHEMVS DE NVREMBERGENSIS" appeared, again divided by his house mark.

[13] The successful completion of this commission strengthened Beham's position, and on 12 March 1522, he was formally accepted into royal service.

He depicted him in the right part of the canvas, dressed in a leather apron, standing prominently among the group of craftsmen lifting the bell.