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Durer Albrecht (1471-1528) a German painter,
engraver, and designer, was one of the foremost artists of his country
during the Renaissance.
Italian painters
He was perhaps the most original creative German artist, and he
influenced generations of artists in northern Europe. He learned much
from the Italian painters, and combined their discoveries with the
tradition of his German homeland.
Christian spirit
Durer combined a love of the ancient world with a deep Christian spirit.
His works include the engraving, Knight, Death, and the Devil; a woodcut
series, The Smaller Passion; and the self-portrait in the Prado in
Madrid. Two of his most notable paintings are Martyrdom of the Ten
Thousand and Adoration of the Magi.As an engraver, Durer developed the
methods of Martin Schongauer, and combined them with the lessons of
Andrea Mantegna to bring that art to its highest perfection in his
century.
He probably drew the designs for his
woodcuts in the blocks, then carved away the wood to create wood
engravings. They were widely copied. His woodcuts are inventive,
exuberant, sometimes grim and grotesque.
Nuremberg
Durer was born in Nuremberg, where he probably learned how to engrave
from his father , a goldsmith. For three years, he was apprenticed to
Michel Wohlgemuth (1434-1519). At 19, he may have visited Italy.
Venetian painters
After 1505, Durer lived in Venice. From his contact with the Venetian
painters, Durer learned to simpifly and strengthen his work. He learned
further refinements from Flemish painters during a visit he made to The
Netherlands. He returned to Nuremberg after 1512, and became the
favorite painter of Emperor Maximilian I. He achieved his greatest works
there. He was admired by Raphael and Erasmus.
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