BREU, JÖRG, IL VECCHIO. - Painter, woodcut artist, and designer of stained glass, b. in Augusta about 1475, d. there in 1537. Active (after a study journey to Austria) in Augusta from 1502, he proved to be a follower of Ulrich Apt, VECCHIAIA (v.), BURGKMAIR, HANS (v.).
His principal works (1501) are found in the convent of Herzogenburg (Austria) and in the museums and churches of Augusta, Innsbruck, Basilea, Vienna, Francoforte, Norimberga, etc. In the two-year period 1514-15 he resided in Italy, where he came under the influence of the Italian Renaissance, as is also shown by his woodcuts for the Messale di Ratisbona, the Breviario di Ratisbona, and others. He collaborated with Dürer on the famous Gebetbuch of Emperor Massimiliano I.
His son Jörg, called il GIOVANE, b. about 1510 in Augusta, d. there in 1547, succeeded him in 1534 as head of the workshop. A woodcut artist, painter, and miniaturist, he was influenced by Venetian painting.