Albrecht DürerAlbrecht DürerMaster of DetailMaster of Detail

A Self-portraitA Self-portrait

• Born May 21, 1471

• Nuremburg, Germany

• Died April 5, 1528

• At one time, was claimed to be the greatest artist in all of Europe!

Dürer was an artist in many ways:

Dürer was an artist in many ways:

• During his 57 years, he created over 100 paintings,

• more than 1,000 etchings and engravings,

1524 copper etching of Frederick the Wise

an engraving of an Astronomer

from the title page of a book

• many woodcuts, only 3 dry points, and lots of drawings.

•a woodcut titled,

•The Adoration of the Magi,

•1511

The Hare drawing by Albrecht Durer

drypoint, The Holy Family,

1512

• Not only was he an artist, but an author, scholar, and mathematician, as well. Albrecht wrote several books based on his knowledge of perspective and geometry.

A book on human proportion

A book on measurement

Durer’s mathematical explanation of a cone

Dürer could even draw animals he’d NEVER seen before!

Dürer could even draw animals he’d NEVER seen before!

A Rhinoceros (pen and ink drawing, 1515)

Dürer's pen drawing of this Indian rhinoceros is a typical example of his interest in animals. The image of the rhinoceros is based on some notes and a sketch by an unknown artist. He never saw the actual creature in real life!

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Dürer was one of the first artists to view animals as a subject worthy of attention.

Dürer was one of the first artists to view animals as a subject worthy of attention.

• At the beginning of the 16th century, the natural world of animals and plants was

becoming a focus of interest as explorers and travelers were returning from

distant lands with examples and illustrations of new species. Dürer shared this

fascination with animals and nature which he revealed in many of his drawings,

watercolors and prints.

Albrecht Dürer, Master of Detail

Albrecht Dürer, Master of Detail

• Look at the detail of the lion’s face, fur, and claws.

What details do you see?

What details do you see?

A Closer Look...A Closer Look...

The Knight, Death, & the Devil

Sheet of Studies with Sketches of Animals and Landscapes 1521Pen and black ink with colored washes

Sheet of Studies with Sketches of Animals and Landscapes 1521Pen and black ink with colored washes

Other famous drawings by Albrecht Dürer

Other famous drawings by Albrecht Dürer

The Praying Hands

Study of two feet, c. 1508

The Study of Three Hands,

1494-95

Self-portrait at 13 years

old

Self-portrait at 13 years

oldAlbrecht grew up in his father’s goldsmith

shop, learning to make fine jewelry in tiny

detail. He spent most of his adult life traveling

around Europe painting and learning. In all his

works of art, Dürer demonstrated his excellent

powers of observation with a quality almost

like taking a picture!

Albrecht grew up in his father’s goldsmith

shop, learning to make fine jewelry in tiny

detail. He spent most of his adult life traveling

around Europe painting and learning. In all his

works of art, Dürer demonstrated his excellent

powers of observation with a quality almost

like taking a picture!

Time-out for Writing

• Later, for our hands-on project, we are going to try to do what Albrecht Dürer did before

the first photograph.  We are going to draw an animal using only someone else’s

WORDS!  Crazy, right?  We like crazy and the kids who’ve tried it so far think it’s fab. 

• But first, we need YOU to write a description of an animal for someone else to draw!

Your secret animal will be revealed to the student artist AFTER their drawing is done.

• Now get ready to describe an animal with WORDS!

• Your animal may be imaginary or real.  Make sure to describe all the parts you can think

of.  Think about legs, skin, teeth, fins, horns, tails, eyelashes, claws, webbed feet, fur -

how does it look and how does it feel?  Please return this postcard to your awesome

Picture Person.