KAUW, Albrecht

Swiss painter, born in Strasbourg. He settled in Bern in 1640 where he is thought to have lived and worked for the rest of his life. He was considered one of Bern’s leading still-life painters in the 17th century. According to a history of Bern, he was also a cartographer and a painter of vedute, and as such had a significant influence on the history of Swiss landscape painting. He carried out a large number of decorations for public buildings in Bern and for various chateaux.

While little is known of Kauw’s early training in Strasbourg, his still-life paintings reflect various influences - from that of contemporary French painters such as Jacques Linard and Louise Moillon, to the work of such German School artists as Peter Binoit. However a number of his still-lifes clearly demonstrate a familiarity with certain Spanish School painters such as Juan Sánchez Cotán and Alejandro de Loarte.

His son, Albrecht Kauw the Younger apparently worked as a painter in Basel, but no works by him have been identified.