Durer

Durer, Albert (1471-1528), a noted German engraver and painter, was born at Nuremburg. His father was a goldsmith, and would have brought up his son to the same calling, but the latter displayed a decided taste for painting, and entered the studio of Michel Wohlgemuth. He then travelled in Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy, and in 1494 came home and married, and three years later produced a portrait of himself and a notable engraving from the nude. In 1506 he was again in Italy, where ho engraved and passed a year at Venice. Ho was befriended by Maximilian I., Charles V., and Ferdinand of Bohemia. In 1520 he was in the Low Countries, especially at Antwerp, and much of his best work seems to have been owing to the example of Flemish art. It is doubtful whether his painting would have brought him lasting reputation, but in engraving he is a great master. Of his known works there are 105 engravings on copper and 170 on wood, while some of his larger works were composed of many smaller plates. His faults are stiffness and indifference to perspective, but these are far outweighed by his excellencies. Among his paintings may be mentioned the Fete of the Rosivre, which is at Venice, and Christ Disputing with the Doetors, and some portraits of his father. which are at Sion House. He sculptured in wood and ivory, and made architectural designs, and wrote a treatise upon fortifications and books upon art.