Richard Knötel

Richard Knötel (January 12, 1857 – April 26, 1914) was a German artist and pioneer of the study of military uniform.

His father, August Knötel, was an art teacher and gave him lessons in drawing and painting from an early age.

By late adolescence, he was already employed as an illustrator for the graphics-based newspaper; Illustrierte Zeitung, as well as for postcards and magazines.

Uniformenkunde is still perhaps the most widely referenced piece of work in the study of military attire of the early modern era, and is still used as a source today.

As an artist he developed a friendship with the also famed military artist Carl Röchling, with whom he wrote The Old Fritz in 50 pictures for young and old (1895),[1] a family book of German military history, and its sequel, The Queen Louise in 50 pictures for young and old (1896).