ALBRECHT DURER German Renaissance Artist PAINTER & ENGRAVER

Albrecht Durer, Self-Portrait at age 22

ALBRECHT DURER Born in 1471 in Germany. Born in 1471 in Germany. Third child of 18 children. Third child of 18 children. Only three of the 18 children survived to adulthood. Only three of the 18 children survived to adulthood. Lived at the same time as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Donatello. Lived at the same time as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Donatello. He traded drawings with Raphael. He traded drawings with Raphael. Son of a goldsmith. Son of a goldsmith. Trained as a metal worker. Trained as a metal worker. Started painting in Started painting in 1484.

Albrecht Durer, Self-Portrait at age 26

Albrecht Durer, Self-Portrait at age 28

Was an apprentice to Michael Wolgemut (town painter) at 15. Was an apprentice to Michael Wolgemut (town painter) at 15. Had an arranged marriage to a woman named Agnes Frey. (Her dad and his were both metal smiths). Had an arranged marriage to a woman named Agnes Frey. (Her dad and his were both metal smiths). His wife came with a dowry of 200 florins. His wife came with a dowry of 200 florins. He had no children with Agnes. He had no children with Agnes. Was a Protestant Christian. Was a Protestant Christian. Much of his artwork deals with Christian themes. Much of his artwork deals with Christian themes. Said his artistic ability was a gift from God. Said his artistic ability was a gift from God.

Albrecht Durer, Agnes, 1503

Painted portraits for rich people (aristocrats). Painted portraits for rich people (aristocrats). He made art available to the BOURGEOIS (middle class) by doing woodcut prints. He made art available to the BOURGEOIS (middle class) by doing woodcut prints. Woodcut prints allowed an image to be multiplied thousands of times. Woodcut prints allowed an image to be multiplied thousands of times. Several of his woodcut plates still exist today. You could still print from them. Several of his woodcut plates still exist today. You could still print from them.

Albrecht Durer, Birth of the Virgin, 1511

Albrecht Durer, Portrait of Michael Wolgemut (his teacher), 1516

Well educated. Well educated. Wrote books on scientific theory and math. Wrote books on scientific theory and math. Considered one of the greatest mathematicians of his time. Considered one of the greatest mathematicians of his time. EDUCATION

Albrecht Durer, Portrait of his Father, 1490

Albrecht Durer, Rhinoceros, 1515

RHINOCEROS In 1579, Phillip the II of Spain received a live rhino from India. In 1579, Phillip the II of Spain received a live rhino from India. It was the first live rhinoceros seen in Europe since Roman times. It was the first live rhinoceros seen in Europe since Roman times. The rhino was almost mythological to the Europeans. The rhino was almost mythological to the Europeans. The King of France wanted to see it, so the rhino was sent by boat in The King of France wanted to see it, so the rhino was sent by boat in The ship wrecked and the rhino went down with the boat. The ship wrecked and the rhino went down with the boat. Without ever seeing the rhino, DURER made a drawing from another artists drawing. Without ever seeing the rhino, DURER made a drawing from another artists drawing. His woodcut became very famous and many people bought it. His woodcut became very famous and many people bought it. His drawing (though incorrect) was considered a true representation until the late 18 th century. His drawing (though incorrect) was considered a true representation until the late 18 th century.

Albrecht was a master at drawing/painting hands. Albrecht was a master at drawing/painting hands. Most artists kept hands out of the picture. Most artists kept hands out of the picture. Albrecht made people’s hands an important part of his work. Albrecht made people’s hands an important part of his work. DRAWING HANDS

Albrecht Durer, Christ Among the Doctors, 1506

Albrecht Durer, Praying Hands, 1508

Albrecht Durer, Hands with Bible

Apocalypse Albrecht Durer created a book called the Apocalypse. Albrecht Durer created a book called the Apocalypse. It was the first book both designed and published solely by an artist. It was the first book both designed and published solely by an artist. It contained a series of woodcut prints that showed scenes from the book of Revelation. It contained a series of woodcut prints that showed scenes from the book of Revelation. He used symbolism in his work. He used symbolism in his work.

Albrecht Durer, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, 1490

SYMBOLISM- Representing things with symbols. HORSE HORSE SYMBOLIZES RIDERPOWER RIDER SYMBOLIZES WHITE FALSE PEACE CARRIES BOW WEARS CROWN CONQUERS FALSE RELIGION RED BLOOD SPILT IN BATTLE CARRIES SWORD BRINGS WAR WAR,DESTRUCTION BLACKBLACK, BARREN FIELDS CARRIES SCALES SCARCITY OF FOOD FAMINE, UNFAIR TRADE PALEDEATH,DECAY CARRIES SCYTHE KILLS BY WAR, HUNGER, PLAGUES, ETC. DEATH

Albrecht Durer, Young Hare, 1502

Value of Durer’s art In 1988 a man threw sulphuric acid on three of Durer’s paintings in a Munich gallery. It caused $36 million dollars in damage. It took several years to restore them. In 1988 a man threw sulphuric acid on three of Durer’s paintings in a Munich gallery. It caused $36 million dollars in damage. It took several years to restore them. Two of his works were stolen from a German museum during WWII. They were recovered in Two of his works were stolen from a German museum during WWII. They were recovered in His paintings sell for over His paintings sell for over $100 million dollars.