German painter. He studied (1520-25) with Wolfgang Mielich (fl 1506-41) and is mentioned in the records of the Munich painters' guild in 1531; in 1538 they elected him their leader. Schöpfer, a native Bavarian, came to Munich from Nuremberg and was primarily active as a portrait painter. His work rivalled that of Barthel Beham, though it was more primitive, weaker on anatomy, rougher in draughtsmanship, but mellower in colouring. His signature, the monogram HS, with a ladle (Ger. Schöpflöffel; a pun on the artist's name), appears on the portrait of Achaz Busch (1532; Munich, Lenbachhaus) and the Portrait of a Lady with a Parrot (1539; Munich, Bayerisches Nationalmuseum). A Gentleman - Riedler or Schrenk (1532; Munich, Bayerisches Nationalmuseum) and an Armed Gentleman (Munich, Bayerischen Staatsgemäldesammlungen) can be attributed to Schöpfer stylistically. With the series of portraits of ladies and officials at the ducal court (from 1549; Munich, Bayerischen Staatsgemäldesammlungen and Bayerisches Nationalmuseum), his talent flagged. //