Hans Knieper (active c.1577-1587)

• Alternative names: Johan van Antwerpen, Hans Maler, Hans Knibber, Jan Knibber, signature: I. D. Knibber and monogram IDK.
• Was a Flemish painter and draughtsman.
• He was likely born in Antwerp, as he was referred to by the name 'Johannes de Antwerpia' in his initial contract with the Danish king.
• The only work attributed to him in his home country is a watercolour of an allegorical figure now in Gaasbeek in Belgium.
• Danish king Frederick II envoy Thomas Tenniker engaged him in 1577 on the king's behalf to go to Helsingør to design tapestries for the decoration of Kronborg Castle.
• Knieper was given the post of director of the weaving workshop.
• He travelled back and forth between Denmark and Flanders to import further materials and skilled workers.
• He managed to establish a high-quality workshop near Kronborg Castle which had about 20 weavers and executed many works for the king.
• As early as 1579 his workshop was able to deliver twelve tapestries with the Old Testament story of David and Nebuchadnezzar.
• In this period, Knieper continued to work as the royal painter.
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