The main works by Albrecht Dürer

Born in Nuremberg in 1471, Albrecht Dürer was one of the first exponents of the Northern European Renaissance, the author of wonderful engravings and magnificent paintings.

Albrecht Dürer: education

Painter, engraver, man of letters and draftsman, Albrecht Dürer is considered one of the greatest German artists of all time. He was the third of eight children and his life as an artist began in the workshop of his father who was a goldsmith, where he learned the technique of engraving.

However, his real artistic training took place between 1490 and 1494. He was not formed in one place only, but in several countries: Germany, Holland, France, Switzerland, passing also through Italy. When he was 23 years old, immediately after getting married, he left on his own for Venice, where he studied art in the workshops of the Italian masters and then, a year later he returned to Nuremberg and opened his own workshop. 

Italian art particularly fascinated the German artist and in his works he was inspired by the bright colours used by Giovanni Bellini and also by the particular attention to detail that the Italian artist dedicated in his works, while Leonardo impressed Dürer with his naturalistic and theoretical approach to art. 

Albrecht Dürer: one of the first independent artists in Northern Europe

Intelligent and forward-thinking, Dürer was also a successful entrepreneur. Unlike the other painters and engravers of the time, Albrecht worked not only on commission, but also independently. In fact, as soon as he realised that his work was popular among the public, he began to create easily reproducible prints that he executed independently, without being commissioned to do so. In essence, the artist, taking into account the trends of the time, anticipated the market by creating works of art even in series, which were perfect to become valuable furnishing accessories. Moreover, he was also very attentive to copyright and he protected his signature thanks to a special document issued directly by the emperor.

The most important works of Albrecht Dürer

Albrecht Dürer was an influential figure who had always been attentive to political and social events. In his works he often reproduced the reality that was happening at that time. Among his most important masterpieces there is the work called "Knight, Death and the Devil" of 1513 and "Self-portrait with fur", a painting of great symbolic value in which the artist looks very much like Jesus, a choice he made because he wanted to show that all men were created in the image and likeness of God. "Young Hare" and "Great piece of turf" are two other works of great value created by Dürer and his masterpieces have also been particularly appreciated by many famous names such as Luther and later even Hitler. Apparently, the Nazi Hubert Lanzinger, in homage to Hitler, had made a copy of the work "The Knight, Death and the Devil", modifying a particular aspect: in the copy the knight had Hitler's face.

Innovative, talented and always striving to improve his style, Albrecht Dürer was one of the greatest exponents of the Renaissance.

Article by: Aurora Caraman