Albrecht Durer Biography

Albrecht Durer was a renowned painter, engraver, printmaker, theorist and mathematician of German origin. “Adam and Eve”, “Knight, Death and the Devil”, “Life of the Virgin” and “Melancholia” are some of his greatest art works. His engraving titled “Nemesis” is an ideal example of first pure landscape studies in Western art. As part of his apprenticeship under Wolgemut, he learnt to create prints in dry point and the technique of designing woodcuts in the German style. He also learnt the necessary procedure of working with block cutters. “Saint Eustace” and “The Sea Monster” are some of his notable works in which he used highly detailed landscape as their background. Most of his works show his attempt to capture the atmosphere rather than presenting topographic description. His engraving works gained wide recognition in Venice. His works of woodcuts in later period of his life reflect his mastery of chiaroscuro modeling effects. His creation of image of an Indian rhinoceros is one of his commendable works that was used in some German school textbooks of science. He, for the first time, created woodblocks of the western printed star charts. He is regarded as the greatest artist of the Northern Renaissance period.