Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) was a German painter, printmaker, and theorist of the German Renaissance. Born in Nuremberg, he is regarded as one of the greatest artists of his time, known for his high-quality woodcut prints and detailed engravings.
Dürer’s father was a goldsmith, and Dürer initially trained in his father's workshop before becoming an apprentice to the painter Michael Wolgemut. In 1494, Dürer embarked on a journey to Italy, where he was exposed to the Renaissance art and ideas that deeply influenced his work. His subsequent trips to Italy, particularly to Venice, cemented his status as a major artist of the Northern Renaissance.
One of his most famous works is a series of large woodcuts called the Apocalypse (1498), which depicts scenes from the Book of Revelation. His engraving "Knight, Death, and the Devil" (1513) and "Melencolia I" (1514) are also celebrated for their intricate detail and profound symbolism.
Dürer was also a prolific writer, contributing to the fields of mathematics, perspective, and human proportion. His treatises on measurement and fortifications, as well as his theoretical writings on art, display his keen interest in science and humanism.
Throughout his life, Dürer maintained close connections with other leading intellectuals and artists of his time, such as Erasmus of Rotterdam. His works had a lasting impact on both contemporary artists and future generations, influencing art in Germany and across Europe.
Albrecht Dürer died in 1528, leaving behind a legacy of masterful works that bridge the Gothic and Renaissance styles, and a body of written work that reflects his deep intellectual curiosity and contributions to the theory of art.
