" Martin Schongauer "

Zum Schwan, also called “huselin zum Swan” or “little house at the swan,” is recognizable by its oriel window and sculpted door lintels. The Colmar artist Martin Schongauer is known to have had his workshop here. People often assume this was Martin Schongauer’s home, but it wasn’t. It was one of the Schongauer family’s properties. They actually lived at the “House with the Viola” at 36 Rue des Marchands. Martin Schongauer (c. 1450-1491) was born in Colmar to a goldsmith who had bought citizenship in 1445. After traveling for his apprenticeship, which probably included time in Flanders, he returned to Colmar. One of his major works, the Virgin of the Rosebush, was made in 1473. He bought Zum Schwan in 1477 to use as his workshop. After Martin died, his brother Ludwig, also an engraver, took over the house and lived there until around 1495. Later it was occupied by other artists, then by burghers, merchants, and craftspeople, including a hatter, pewterer, and pastry chef.