Durer

Albrecht Dürer (21 May 1471 – 6 April 1528) was a German Renaissance artist from Nuremberg, known for his high-quality woodcut prints. His vast body of work includes altarpieces, portraits, self-portraits, engravings, and books. Dürer’s introduction of classical motifs into Northern art, through his knowledge of Italian artists and German humanists, secured his reputation as one of the most important figures of the Northern Renaissance.

Early Life

Dürer was born in Nuremberg, the third child of Albrecht Dürer the Elder, a successful goldsmith, and Barbara Holper. He was apprenticed to his father but showed a greater interest in painting and drawing. At the age of 15, he was apprenticed to the leading Nuremberg painter Michael Wolgemut, whose workshop produced a variety of works, including woodcuts for books.

Career

Dürer traveled extensively, visiting Italy, where he was influenced by the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Andrea Mantegna. His travels also took him to the Netherlands, where he met and was influenced by the works of Hieronymus Bosch and Jan van Eyck.

Major Works

Some of Dürer's most famous works include:

• The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1498) – a woodcut from his series on the Book of Revelation.
• Melencolia I (1514) – an engraving that has been widely studied for its complex symbolism.
• Knight, Death, and the Devil (1513) – another engraving that showcases his mastery of the medium.
• Adam and Eve (Dürer) (1504) – an engraving that demonstrates his understanding of human anatomy.

Influence and Legacy

Dürer’s work had a profound influence on the artists of his time and later periods. His theoretical writings on art, particularly on proportion, perspective, and fortification, were highly regarded. His treatises include Four Books on Measurement and Four Books on Human Proportion.

Personal Life

Dürer married Agnes Frey in 1494, but the marriage was childless. He was known to have a wide circle of friends and correspondents, including the humanist Erasmus and the painter Lucas Cranach the Elder.

Death

Dürer died in Nuremberg in 1528 at the age of 56. He was buried in the Johannisfriedhof cemetery.

Related Pages

• Renaissance
• Northern Renaissance
• Woodcut
• Engraving
• Leonardo da Vinci
• Raphael
• Hieronymus Bosch
• Jan van Eyck