Hans Krell (c. 1490–1565)

• Was a German painter in the Baroque style.
• He is thought to have been born in Crailsheim or Ansbach, and died in Leipzig.

• Hans Krell started his career as court painter of George the Pious, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach in Ansbach.

• He then entered into the service of King Louis II of Hungary in Prague and Buda, where he was employed as court portraitist in the years 1522–1526.

• Krell was known as the Fürstenmaler (Painter of Princes) in service of the German Princes – Albrecht of Brandenburg-Ansbach, Duke in Prussia, Hedwig Jagiellon, Electress of Brandenburg and the Elector Augustus of Saxony.

• Hans Krell is credited by Dieter Koepplin as the author of a painting (Battle of Orsha) long associated with Lucas Cranach the Elder, painted around 1524–1530.

• According to specialists, the author must have taken part in the battle himself due to his high knowledge on the subject.

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