Albrecht Dürer (1471 –1528) was a German painter, printmaker, and theorist of the German Renaissance.

 

He was a brilliant painter, draftsman, and writer, though his first and probably greatest artistic impact was in the medium of printmaking.

 

Born in Nuremberg, Dürer established his reputation and influence across Europe in his twenties due to his high-quality woodcut prints.

 

He was in contact with the major Italian artists of his time, including Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci, and from 1512 was patronized by Emperor Maximilian I.

 

He believed that geometry was essential for producing harmonic artworks, and thus that it should be taught to all young artists, alongside other mathematical rigors.

 

Despite his decidedly Renaissance interest in Humanism and mathematics, Dürer continued to produce extremely detailed studies of the natural world, particularly animals, be they newly discovered in Europe (such as the mythical rhinoceros and lion) or common native creatures (such as the hare, owl, or cat).

 

Dürer was well aware of his own artistic genius, which equally tortured and enlivened him.

 

He painted a number of empowering self-portraits, and would often appear as a character in his painted commissions.

 

More of Albrecht Dürer‘s art can be found at http://www.albrechtdurer.org.