Self- Portrait of Albrect Durer 28 years old Created: ’2”x 1’7” Painting on Wood Born in Nuremberg, Germany, May 21, Died April 6, He is generally regarded as the greatest German Renaissance artist. His first trip to Italy had a strong effect On his artwork. He saw engravings, Paintings, graphics and drawings Of the Italians which greatly influenced His style.

A “renaissance” person is one who is intensely interested in everything And who becomes the master of many things. His father was a goldsmith, his father wanted him to follow in his trade. Goldsmiths were highly respected in Germany. He married Agnes Frey in 1498, the daughter of a wealthy factory owner. Durer was adept at drawing, engraving and woodcut printing. He visited Italy and the Netherlands and brought back ideas inspired by what He saw. Durer constantly practiced his craft. He remains one of the greatest “realists”. In his lifetime, he created over 1,000 Drawings, 250 woodcuts, and 70 paintings, produced over 100 engravings and Authored many books.

His second trip to Italy, he spent most of his time in Venice. He worked under and admired the artist Giovanni Bellini, the leading master of Venetian early Renaissance painting. Durer’s work took on the sort portrait types especially favored by Bellini. He worked for the Holy Roman emperor, Maximilian I. He demonstrated his mastery of woodcuts and created many in intricate detail of creative imagination which was foreign to him. One of his greatest paintings, the so-called “Four Apostles” John, Peter, Paul and Mark was done in The work marks his final and certainly highest achievement as a painter..

Durer’s Rhinoceros, 1515, Woodcut Durer never actually saw a rhinoceros, he did this woodcut from a written Description and brief sketch by an unknown artist

The Revelation of St John: 4. The Four Riders of the Apocalypse Woodcut, 399 x 286 mm Kupferstichka binett, Staatliche Kunsthalle, Karlsruhe

Knight, Death and the Devil 1513 Engraving, 245 x 188 mm Staatliche Kunsthalle, Karlsruhe

Feast of the Rose Garlands 1506 Oil on poplar panel, 162 x 194,5 cm Národní Galerie, Prague

Originally called “Hands” but became known as “The Praying Hands” These are the hands of his brother, Albert, who worked in the mines to fund Albrect’s education.

Young Hare, 1502, Watercolor 10” x 9” Known as a master piece of observational Art. Created with almost photographic Accuracy. The Little Owl, 1506, Watercolor