As the son of Munich city painter Wolfgang Mielich, Hans Mielich was initially tutored in his father’s workshop. He was then trained by Albrecht Altdorfer, in whose Regensburg studio Mielich is known to have worked from 1536 until the death of the master. By 1540 Mielich had returned to Munich. Following a two-year journey to Italy he was admitted as a Master to the Munich painters’ guild, which he headed from 1548.

Mielich’s artistic importance lies particularly in his portrait painting, in which he combines the tradition of Barthel Beham with his understanding of exemplary Italian works.

At the court of the art-loving Albrecht, Duke of Bavaria, Mielich also decorated several codices with precious miniatures.