b.May 21, 1471, Imperial Free City of Nernberg [Germany]
d.April 6, 1528, Nernberg
Albrecht Durer (May 21, 1471 ?C April 6, 1528) was a German painter, printmaker and theorist from Nuremberg. His still-famous works include the Apocalypse woodcuts, Knight, Death, and the Devil (1513), Saint Jerome in his Study (1514) and Melencolia I (1514), which has been the subject of extensive analysis and interpretation. His watercolours mark him as one of the first European landscape artists, while his ambitious woodcuts revolutionized the potential of that medium. D??rer introduction of classical motifs into Northern art, through his knowledge of Italian artists and German humanists, have secured his reputation as one of the most important figures of the Northern Renaissance. This is reinforced by his theoretical treatise which involve principles of mathematics, perspective and ideal proportions.
His prints established his reputation across Europe when he was still in his twenties, and he has been conventionally regarded as the greatest artist of the Renaissance in Northern Europe ever since.
1524 Engraving, 181 x 115 mm Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York The celebrated humanist Willibald Pirckheimer, counselor to the Emperor, friend of Erasmus of Rotterdam, member of the Nuremberg city council, translator of Greek and Latin classics, commander of the Nuremberg contingent of troops in the Swiss War, was Albrecht D?rer's closest friend and mentor. Suffering from severe gout, Pirckheimer had retired from the city council shortly before D?rer engraved this portrait. The copper plate portrait is an example of the new portraits he created using printed graphics. The bust is placed, like a monument, above an inscription that reads like an epitaph. It refers to the contributions and character of Pirckheimer, and the inscription beneath the portrait reads: "Image of Willibald Pirckheimer at age 53. Man lives through his intellect; all else will belong to death. 1524" (based on Livy III, 36). In this likeness, too, D?rer could not resist the temptation to show the reflection of windows in the eyes. The magnificent bulldog head of D?rer's best friend is not so much embellished as transfigured. Mass is converted into energy, and the heavy features of the learned irascible giant appear illumined, as it were, by the enormous eyes which flare from their sockets like powerful searchlights. This engraving was used as a bookplate by Pirckheimer. Many volumes containing it, formerly in the possession of the Royal Society, were sold at auction in London in 1925. Until 1945 there was an impression on white satin, probably posthumous, at Bremen.Artist:D?RER, Albrecht Title: Willibald Pirckheimer Painted in 1501-1550 , German - - graphics : portrait
1524 Engraving, 181 x 115 mm Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York The celebrated humanist Willibald Pirckheimer, counselor to the Emperor, friend of Erasmus of Rotterdam, member of the Nuremberg city council, translator of Greek and Latin classics, commander of the Nuremberg contingent of troops in the Swiss War, was Albrecht D?rer's closest friend and mentor. Suffering from severe gout, Pirckheimer had retired from the city council shortly before D?rer engraved this portrait. The copper plate portrait is an example of the new portraits he created using printed graphics. The bust is placed, like a monument, above an inscription that reads like an epitaph. It refers to the contributions and character of Pirckheimer, and the inscription beneath the portrait reads: "Image of Willibald Pirckheimer at age 53. Man lives through his intellect; all else will belong to death. 1524" (based on Livy III, 36). In this likeness, too, D?rer could not resist the temptation to show the reflection of windows in the eyes. The magnificent bulldog head of D?rer's best friend is not so much embellished as transfigured. Mass is converted into energy, and the heavy features of the learned irascible giant appear illumined, as it were, by the enormous eyes which flare from their sockets like powerful searchlights. This engraving was used as a bookplate by Pirckheimer. Many volumes containing it, formerly in the possession of the Royal Society, were sold at auction in London in 1925. Until 1945 there was an impression on white satin, probably posthumous, at Bremen.Artist:D?RER, Albrecht Title: Willibald Pirckheimer Painted in 1501-1550 , German - - graphics : portrait
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Philipp Melanchthon
Philipp Melanchthon
Painting ID:: 63626
1526 Engraving, 174 x 127 mm Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Philipp Melanchthon (1497-1560) was one of the great humanists of his age. He was the German author of the Confession of Augsburg of the Lutheran Church (1530), humanist, reformer, theologian, and educator. His original name Philipp Schwartzerd means Black Earth in German, in Greek, Melanchthon. After studying in Heidelberg and T?bingen, he taught as a professor in Wittenberg. The main emphasis of his research was on theology, philosophy and rhetoric. In 1521 Melanchthon published the Loci communes, the first systematic treatment of evangelical doctrine. Because of his academic expertise he was asked to help in founding schools, and he virtually reorganized the whole educational system of Germany, founding and reforming several of its universities. In November 1525 and May 1526 he visited Nuremberg at the invitation of the city council in order to establish the first public school. Melanchthon is facing to the right in a striking three quarter profile. The epitaph-like Latin inscription refers to the humanist discussion Melanchthon led on the portrayability of the human character: "1526. Viventis potuit Dvreris Ora Philippi Mentem non Potuit Pingere Docta Manus" (1526. D?rer was able to draw the features of Philipp from life, but his expert hand could not capture his spirit. A.D.). It can be pointed out that the reflection of a window in the eyes verges on the ridiculous in this case, as the indication of clouds in the background show that Melanchthon is supposed to be standing in the open air.Artist:D?RER, Albrecht Title: Philipp Melanchthon Painted in 1501-1550 , German - - graphics : portrait
1526 Engraving, 174 x 127 mm Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Philipp Melanchthon (1497-1560) was one of the great humanists of his age. He was the German author of the Confession of Augsburg of the Lutheran Church (1530), humanist, reformer, theologian, and educator. His original name Philipp Schwartzerd means Black Earth in German, in Greek, Melanchthon. After studying in Heidelberg and T?bingen, he taught as a professor in Wittenberg. The main emphasis of his research was on theology, philosophy and rhetoric. In 1521 Melanchthon published the Loci communes, the first systematic treatment of evangelical doctrine. Because of his academic expertise he was asked to help in founding schools, and he virtually reorganized the whole educational system of Germany, founding and reforming several of its universities. In November 1525 and May 1526 he visited Nuremberg at the invitation of the city council in order to establish the first public school. Melanchthon is facing to the right in a striking three quarter profile. The epitaph-like Latin inscription refers to the humanist discussion Melanchthon led on the portrayability of the human character: "1526. Viventis potuit Dvreris Ora Philippi Mentem non Potuit Pingere Docta Manus" (1526. D?rer was able to draw the features of Philipp from life, but his expert hand could not capture his spirit. A.D.). It can be pointed out that the reflection of a window in the eyes verges on the ridiculous in this case, as the indication of clouds in the background show that Melanchthon is supposed to be standing in the open air.Artist:D?RER, Albrecht Title: Philipp Melanchthon Painted in 1501-1550 , German - - graphics : portrait
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Bearing of the Cross
Bearing of the Cross
Painting ID:: 63627
1512 Engraving, 117 x 74 mm Art Museum, Princeton Sheet No. 10 of the Engraved Passion. St Veronica is shown kneeling in front of Christ. This engraved version cannot compare to the triumphant one of the woodcut. In this instance, Christ is pictured standing, turned toward the women. The rendering of this scene as a nocturne is unprecedented. This print can be called "Schongaueresque" in concept. The guardsman shouting at the people is, in fact, found in Schongauer's version, perhaps based on Passion plays. There is an impression without the hanger of the tablet bearing the monogram at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.Artist:D?RER, Albrecht Title: Bearing of the Cross (No. 10) Painted in 1501-1550 , German - - graphics : religious
1512 Engraving, 117 x 74 mm Art Museum, Princeton Sheet No. 10 of the Engraved Passion. St Veronica is shown kneeling in front of Christ. This engraved version cannot compare to the triumphant one of the woodcut. In this instance, Christ is pictured standing, turned toward the women. The rendering of this scene as a nocturne is unprecedented. This print can be called "Schongaueresque" in concept. The guardsman shouting at the people is, in fact, found in Schongauer's version, perhaps based on Passion plays. There is an impression without the hanger of the tablet bearing the monogram at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.Artist:D?RER, Albrecht Title: Bearing of the Cross (No. 10) Painted in 1501-1550 , German - - graphics : religious
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The Virgin with Two Angels and Four Saints
The Virgin with Two Angels and Four Saints
Painting ID:: 63628
1521 Pen, 252 x 387 mm Mus?e Cond? Chantilly The four saints are St Catherine, St John the Evangelist, St James the Great and St Joseph. This drawing, which is cut at the top, is to be considered as a study for a large painting. It is an example of the new freedom of arrangement on an architectural basis.Artist:D?RER, Albrecht Title: The Virgin with Two Angels and Four Saints Painted in 1501-1550 , German - - graphics : study
1521 Pen, 252 x 387 mm Mus?e Cond? Chantilly The four saints are St Catherine, St John the Evangelist, St James the Great and St Joseph. This drawing, which is cut at the top, is to be considered as a study for a large painting. It is an example of the new freedom of arrangement on an architectural basis.Artist:D?RER, Albrecht Title: The Virgin with Two Angels and Four Saints Painted in 1501-1550 , German - - graphics : study
b.May 21, 1471, Imperial Free City of Nernberg [Germany]
d.April 6, 1528, Nernberg
Albrecht Durer (May 21, 1471 ?C April 6, 1528) was a German painter, printmaker and theorist from Nuremberg. His still-famous works include the Apocalypse woodcuts, Knight, Death, and the Devil (1513), Saint Jerome in his Study (1514) and Melencolia I (1514), which has been the subject of extensive analysis and interpretation. His watercolours mark him as one of the first European landscape artists, while his ambitious woodcuts revolutionized the potential of that medium. D??rer introduction of classical motifs into Northern art, through his knowledge of Italian artists and German humanists, have secured his reputation as one of the most important figures of the Northern Renaissance. This is reinforced by his theoretical treatise which involve principles of mathematics, perspective and ideal proportions.
His prints established his reputation across Europe when he was still in his twenties, and he has been conventionally regarded as the greatest artist of the Renaissance in Northern Europe ever since.