Albrecht Dürer's life and artistic development

Albert Durer

Albrecht Durer (1471 -- 1528

(WATT)

Albrecht Durer was born in Nurembourg on May 21, 1471. Albrecht Durer's father, Albrecht Durer the Elder was a famous goldsmith. In 1455, he travelled from Germany to Nurembourg and got married to Barbara Holper. Albert Durer was the third kid of his parents. He had eighteen siblings. Albert Durer's father was a really hard working man. He used to work eighteen hours a day that apparently shows that he had no extra time for his children, but he was a great father. He used to take time out to teach art to his son. He actually was Albert Durer's first art teacher.

As Albert's passion and skills for art started to polish, Abert and his brother developed a wish to study artistry at Nurnberg academy. But unfortunately, it was not possible for both of them to study in such a high level institute as their father did not have enough money to bear the expenditure of two kids at a time so the brothers made a contract. They decided to toss a coin and whoever wins will go to Nurnberg academy for studying art and the one who loses the toss will stay at home, work hard for earnings and through the money earned will support the other brother. Luck played an important role, and finally Albert won the toss and was sent to Nurnberg academy in order to polish his skills of art. He spent four years at school and learnt a lot of important skills in artistry. At the end of these four years, he turned out to be a better artist even than his Professor.

After completing his studies, Albert returned home with an aim of supporting his brother for studies, but he was sad to find out his brother in the state of disability. His hands and fingers had been paralyzed. In the absence of Albert Durer, his brother had been working really hard in mines that his fingers had been damaged. In return to his brother's great loss, Albert decided to pay thanks and as a symbol of appreciation, Albert painted his brother's hand.

That was the initial step and after that, Durer's art started to excel. He started to portray goldsmith, music and mathematics in his art pieces. His art work contains religion, portraits specially self-portraits, copper and wood carvings etc.

Since Durer was trained as a goldsmith and painter, Durer turned out to be a skilled colorist, a designer, a typographer and an excellent engraver. Every single piece of Durer's art has depth of emotion and tremendous clarity. One would like to get closer to his work and lost in the depth of art.

Durer was undoubtedly a great artist, a famous mathematician, a remarkable philosopher, an excellent engraver and an extraordinary printmaker from Nuremberg (Germany). He is famous for exceptionally blending the Michelangelo's western drawings (sixteenth century), Raphael's art (eighteenth and nineteenth centuries), and art pieces of other famous artists. At an early age of thirteen, Durer created oldest recognized self-portrait paintings in European fine arts. He was one of the pioneers of stand-alone sceneries and landscapes. He is famous for converting local art of wood cutting into fine art of engraving.

Durer was a versatile artist and despite the fact that all of his work was highly valued, Durer's paintings, drawings, engraved designs, watercolors and carvings have their unique influence. The best of Durer's art pieces are placed in Innere Stadt museum of Vienna (Albertina), which is highly recognized by artists due to its most spectacular masterworks which include chiaroscuro sketches like The Praying Hands, watercolors like The Great Piece of Turf, an inspiring nature study of the Renaissance; and the remarkable Self-Portrait at Thirteen. (Mezzanine)

Albrecht Durer's Self-Portrait at 13 (COTTER)

National Gallery of Art at Washington DC acquired Durer's masterpieces from Albertina and hundred and eight art pieces are displayed in this art Gallery which clearly depicts Durer's major skill and talents including some of his best work.

An overpowering feeling of amazement overwhelms the observer while walking through two floor exhibition of Durer's masterpieces at this Art Gallery where intense eagerness energizes the gallery and leaves you in a shock while you pass by each of art work of Durer. It forces you to go off-balance by Durer's remarkable talent, integrity and innovation.

The National art Gallery Washington DC presents Durer's art work in a two level exhibit with fine written notes to each piece. The work evidently depicts and comprehends the complete scope of Durer's talent and artistry.

The Great Piece of Turf (COTTER)

Albert Durer is a source of inspiration for present age artists. He died at the age of 57 on 6th April 1528. By the time he died, all of his theoretical contracts were not fully finished. Some of them were officially published while other could not. Durer was of the opinion that portraying human body is the most expressive part of art but its significance could not be understood without consciousness of proportion and composition.