Isenmann's dates of birth and death are uncertain. He may have been born around 1410. The
Unterlinden Museum of his hometown indicates that he was active around 1430 and died between 1484 and 1490; however the
Bibliothèque nationale de France states that Isenmann died on 18 January 1472. Isenmann was first recorded as a painter in 1432. He decorated the municipal
counting board in 1433 and became a
burgher of
Colmar in 1435 or 1436. Nothing is known about his teachers but it is assumed that he may have been apprenticed either to
Hans Hirtz of
Strasbourg or
Konrad Witz of
Basel; his art also shows the influence of
Rogier van der Weyden and his school. It was signed on 21 June 1462; the painter was guaranteed a payment of 500
guilder and requested to complete work in two years,
i. e. in 1464. It is not known if the delay in the actual delivery did cost the painter anything. Between 1466 and 1469, Isenmann may have been the teacher of fellow Colmarian,
Martin Schongauer, whom he acquainted with van der Weyden's paintings. He is also assumed to have taught Martin's brother
Ludwig Schongauer. A house in 34, rue des Marchands in Colmar bears the inscription "
Zum grienen hus, 1435. Ancienne demeure du maître-peintre Caspar Isenmann" (At the green house, 1435, former dwelling of the master painter Caspar Isenmann). == See also ==