Michael Puskas

Albrecht Durer
The story of Albrecht Durer begins on May 21st 1471 in Nuremberg of Germany. He was born as the son to a goldsmith, in a family that came from a long line of goldsmiths and he was also trained in this skill as well growing up. But, this was not his only skill, let alone his most revered skill. Albrecht Durer was also a master in the arts which included areas such as printmaker, painter, draughtsman, and writer. In his childhood, he had an intellectual yearning for something more challenging and expressive. The story of Albrecht Durer is a remarkable one that begins in Germany and ultimately results in one of the most inspiring and influential renaissance artists. When growing up Albrecht Durer was taught the family ways in goldsmith, but he wanted something more. In his childhood his best friend Willibald Pirckheimer had the best private library in Germany. This allowed Albrecht Durer to expose himself to art and literature. It gave him access to old works of art and influential artists which he could use as an inspiration and maybe one day as a comparison of how well he was doing in the arts. At age fifteen Albrecht left his father to go study with the areas most revered local artist Michael Wolgemut. Despite this being Albrechts first time to study with a professional artist he had already shown great promises in his stunning work. His time with Michael Wolgemut can be thought of as supplementary, helping to push him along to the next level in his art career. Albrecht had already been recognized for his 1484 silverpoint self-portrait which was the first in the series of many self-portraits. Albrecht Durer was the first artist to do this. His mentor

Wolgemut was also an illustrator, and so it is thought that Albrecht likely learned the woodcut technique from him, which would also one day be used to create well renowned art. Not only did Albrecht study and excel in these areas, but he was also known for his skills as a printmaker, engraver, writer, mathematician, and theorist. His works were not only limited to famous paintings, but he was also known for works of art in many other areas as well. For example, one of his most well-known pieces, Knight, Death, and the Devil is done using the skill of engraving. This painting was created in 1513 and is easily one of his most recognizable works. The engraving reflects a mannerist style with some medieval references in it. The painting shows a knight riding on his stallion proudly as he passes death who points out that time runs out for all things that live and the devil lurks in the shadows behind the Knight watching him, reminding the viewer of the constant threat of evils in the world. Attempting to meet Martin Schongauer in Colmar in 1492, Albrecht Durer missed him for he had just passed away recently and so Albrecht learned from Martins brothers. He then returned to Nuremberg in 1494 and quickly arranged a marriage with a local copper smiths daughter, Agnes Fray. The marriage bore no children, and was apparently filled with much unhappiness. The two did not share the same intellectual ambition but the marriage lasted until Durers death. After returning to Nuremberg in 1495, Albrecht quickly became the cities most renowned artist. Durer then proceeded to open his own workshop, which coincidentally marriage was a requirement to do so. Over the years he would integrate Italian style more and more into his art work. His most well know works were likely from the early years of his workshop, which

included religious and secular works. These works were far more complex than his previous works, and reflected a stronger balance than previous works as well. During Albrecht Durers life he was known to be a Catholic, but as he neared the end of his life his views began to change. Durers later writings suggest that he may have been sympathetic to the Lutheran movement but it is unclear. In a 1520 diary Albrecht wrote And God help me that I may go to Dr. Martin Luther; thus I intend to make a portrait of him with great care and engrave him on a copper plate to create a lasting memorial of the Christian man who helped me overcome so many difficulties. This would allow for speculation on his true beliefs in his later life, although he never wrote nor has it ever been recorded that he publicly conversed to Lutheranism. During Durers later works they also show sympathies with the protestant movement. In his 1523 engraving of the last supper, there appears to be a strong evangelical theme. No one truly knows where he stood at the end of his life religiously. What everyone can agree on though, is that he was by far one of the most influential artists of his time and pioneered the style of engraving to new unknown levels.