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Albrecht Durer

Albrecht Dürer, the best-known German artist of the Renaissance.Created by: PICRYLDated: 2017

Saint Anthony Reading

Albrecht Dürer, whose work was admired and influential throughout Europe, was born in Nuremberg on 21 May 1471. His first training was as a goldsmith in his father's shop. In 1486 Dürer became an apprentice in the workshop of the painter Michael Wolgemut where he would remain for almost four years. Toward the end of his apprenticeship, he produced his first dated painting, the portrait of his father Albrecht Dürer the Elder of 1490. Same year Dürer departed Nuremberg for a four-year trip. The trip included the Netherlands, Cologne, and parts of Austria and Switzerland.
Returning to Nuremberg in late May of 1494 Dürer married but forced to leave again due to an outbreak of plague in Nuremberg in August of 1494. Dürer traveled across the Alps to Venice, by way of Augsburg, Innsbruck, the Brenner pass, the Eisack valley and Trent. His Venice stay, which lasted until spring of 1495. Dürer became acquainted with artists such as Gentile and Giovanni Bellini and absorbed, often by copying, the work of Andrea Mantegna, Antonio Pollaiuolo, and Lorenzo di Credi. His awareness of and lifelong interest in the theory of human proportions also began in Venice, quite possible because of Jacopo de' Barbari.
Upon his return to Nuremberg in 1495, Dürer embarked upon a career as printmaker and painter. The woodcut series, the Apocalypse, published in 1498, by reason of its innovative format, technical mastery, and the forcefulness of its imagery, made Dürer famous throughout Europe.
In the summer of 1505, the plague reappeared in Nuremberg and Dürer again set out for Venice. This time, however, he arrived as a well-known artist with a reputation based on his woodcuts and engravings. From Venice Dürer apparently went to the university city of Bologna to learn about perspective and then journeyed further south to Florence, where he saw the work of Leonardo da Vinci and the young Raphael, and to Rome.
Except for a few short journeys, Dürer remained in Nuremberg from 1507 until 1520. Dürer attracted the attention of Emperor Maximilian I who had visited Nuremberg in February 1512 and gave Dürer several commissions, including the marginal drawings for his prayerbook. The three so-called "Master Engravings": Knight, Death, and the Devil, of 1513, Saint Jerome in his Study, and Melancholia I both of 1514, raised the engraving technique to new heights and reflect Dürer's ongoing assimilation of Italian art and theory, and in the case of Melancholia I, Neoplatonic philosophy.
In his last years, Dürer became increasingly involved in his theoretical writings. His last and most important treatise, Four Books on Human Proportion, was published posthumously on 31 October 1528. A number of painted and engraved portraits were produced in these years, but the major work is the Four Apostles, dated 1526, that was presented to the city council in Nuremberg. The Apostles John the Evangelist, Peter and Paul and the Evangelist Mark are accompanied by inscriptions warning against false prophets.

727 Media in collection ∙ page 1 of 8

Self-portrait, Study of a Hand and a Pillow (recto); Six Studies of Pillows (verso)

Self-portrait, Study of a Hand and a Pillow (recto); Six Studies of Pi...

The Ravisher

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Das Narren Schyff

Das Narren Schyff

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Five Foot Soldiers and a Mounted Turk

Five Foot Soldiers and a Mounted Turk

The Ill-Assorted Couple

The Ill-Assorted Couple

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Holy Family with a Dragonfly

Holy Family with a Dragonfly

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Five Foot Soldiers and a Mounted Turk

Five Foot Soldiers and a Mounted Turk

Holy Family with a Dragonfly

Holy Family with a Dragonfly

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Prodigal Son

The Prodigal Son

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Penance of Saint John Chrysostom

The Penance of Saint John Chrysostom

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Little Courier

The Little Courier

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Turkish Family

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Penance of Saint John Chrysostom

The Penance of Saint John Chrysostom

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Monstrous Pig of Landser

The Monstrous Pig of Landser

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Cook and His Wife

The Cook and His Wife

The Turkish Family

The Turkish Family

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Martyrdom of Saint John, from The Apocalypse, Latin Edition 1511

The Martyrdom of Saint John, from The Apocalypse, Latin Edition 1511

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Saint Jerome Penitent in the Wilderness

Saint Jerome Penitent in the Wilderness

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Prodigal Son

The Prodigal Son

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Four Naked Women

Four Naked Women

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Three Peasants in Conversation

Three Peasants in Conversation

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Peasant and His Wife

The Peasant and His Wife

Samson Rending the Lion

Samson Rending the Lion

The Lady on Horseback and the Lansquenet

The Lady on Horseback and the Lansquenet

Woodblock for Samson Rending the Lion

Woodblock for Samson Rending the Lion

Samson Rending the Lion

Samson Rending the Lion

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Holy Family with Three Hares

The Holy Family with Three Hares

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Samson Rending the Lion

Samson Rending the Lion

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Lady on Horseback and the Lansquenet

The Lady on Horseback and the Lansquenet

Christ on the Mount of Olives, from The Large Passion

Christ on the Mount of Olives, from The Large Passion

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Fortuna in a Niche

Fortuna in a Niche

The Sea Monster (Das Meerwunder)

The Sea Monster (Das Meerwunder)

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Virgin and Child with the Monkey

Virgin and Child with the Monkey

The Vision of the Seven Candlesticks, from The Apocalypse, German Edition 1498

The Vision of the Seven Candlesticks, from The Apocalypse, German Edit...

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Four Angels Holding the Winds, from The Apocalypse, German Edition, 1498

The Four Angels Holding the Winds, from The Apocalypse, German Edition...

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Dream of the Doctor

The Dream of the Doctor

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Virgin and Child with the Monkey

Virgin and Child with the Monkey

The Four Avenging Angels, from The Apocalypse

The Four Avenging Angels, from The Apocalypse

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Promenade

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Four Horsemen, from The Apocalypse

The Four Horsemen, from The Apocalypse

The Dream of the Doctor

The Dream of the Doctor

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Angel with the Key to the Bottomless Pit

The Angel with the Key to the Bottomless Pit

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Saint Michael and the Dragon, from The Apocalypse

Saint Michael and the Dragon, from The Apocalypse

Hercules at the Crossroad

Hercules at the Crossroad

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Hercules at the Crossroad

Hercules at the Crossroad

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Crucifixion, from The Large Passion

The Crucifixion, from The Large Passion

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Virgin on the Crescent

The Virgin on the Crescent

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Justice

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Saint Sebastian Bound to the Column

Saint Sebastian Bound to the Column

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Virgin on the Crescent

The Virgin on the Crescent

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Justice

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Christ Crowned with Thorns

Christ Crowned with Thorns

Possibly Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Witch

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Witch

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Portrait of Dürer

Portrait of Dürer

Erhard Schön (German, Nuremberg 1491–1542 Nuremberg) ?

The Betrothal of the Virgin, from The Life of the Virgin (copy)

The Betrothal of the Virgin, from The Life of the Virgin (copy)

After Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Three Putti with Trumpets

Three Putti with Trumpets

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Virgin and Child with the Infant Christ and Saint Anne

The Virgin and Child with the Infant Christ and Saint Anne

Saint Veronica with the Sudarium

Saint Veronica with the Sudarium

After Sebald Beham (German, Nuremberg 1500–1550 Frankfurt)

Man of Sorrows with Arms Outstretched

Man of Sorrows with Arms Outstretched

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Three Putti with Trumpets

Three Putti with Trumpets

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Standard Bearer

The Standard Bearer

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Saint Eustace

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Nemesis (The Great Fortune)

Nemesis (The Great Fortune)

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Nemesis (The Great Fortune)

Nemesis (The Great Fortune)

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Nemesis (The Great Fortune)

Nemesis (The Great Fortune)

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Saint Eustace

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Saint Eustace

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Saint Sebastian Tied to a Tree

Saint Sebastian Tied to a Tree

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Nemesis (The Great Fortune)

Nemesis (The Great Fortune)

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Saint Eustace

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Glorification of the Virgin, from The Life of The Virgin

The Glorification of the Virgin, from The Life of The Virgin

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Saint George Standing

Saint George Standing

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Coat of Arms with a Lion and a Cock

Coat of Arms with a Lion and a Cock

Saint George Standing

Saint George Standing

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Coat of Arms with Cock

Coat of Arms with Cock

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Saint Anthony and Saint Paul in the Desert

Saint Anthony and Saint Paul in the Desert

Virgin and Child on a Grassy Bench

Virgin and Child on a Grassy Bench

Apollo and Diana

Apollo and Diana

The Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple, from The Life of the Virgin

The Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple, from The Life of the Vir...

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Holy Family with Two Angels in a Vaulted Hall

The Holy Family with Two Angels in a Vaulted Hall

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Apollo and Diana

Apollo and Diana

The Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple, from The Life of the Virgin

The Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple, from The Life of the Vir...

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Holy Family with Five Angels

The Holy Family with Five Angels

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Annunciation, from The Life of the Virgin

The Annunciation, from The Life of the Virgin

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Presentation of The Virgin in the Temple, from The Life of The Virgin

The Presentation of The Virgin in the Temple, from The Life of The Vir...

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Holy Family with Five Angels

The Holy Family with Five Angels

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Coat of Arms with a Skull

Coat of Arms with a Skull

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Calvary with the Three Crosses

Calvary with the Three Crosses

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Coat of Arms with a Skull

Coat of Arms with a Skull

Calvary with the Three Crosses

Calvary with the Three Crosses

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Coat of Arms with a Skull

Coat of Arms with a Skull

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Saint Anthony and Saint Paul in the Desert

Saint Anthony and Saint Paul in the Desert

Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata

Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Nativity

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

The Betrothal of the Virgin, from The Life of the Virgin

The Betrothal of the Virgin, from The Life of the Virgin

Albrecht Dürer (German, Nuremberg 1471–1528 Nuremberg)

Joachim and the Angel, from The Life of the Virgin

Joachim and the Angel, from The Life of the Virgin

Joachim and Anna at the Golden Gate, from The Life of the Virgin

Joachim and Anna at the Golden Gate, from The Life of the Virgin

Joachim and the Angel, from The Life of the Virgin

Joachim and the Angel, from The Life of the Virgin

Saint George and the Dragon

Saint George and the Dragon