Albrecht Durer Biography Essay Example For Students

Albrecht Durer Biography Essay Durer was a goldsmith, he had come from Germany to Nurembourg in 1455 and married Barbara Holper. Barbaras father was Albrechts master. Albrecht was his fathers third son. He was named Albrecht because of a family tradition which he has been the third representative so far. Albrecht had three brothers named Laszlo, Albrecht, and Ajtos. Albrecht was apprenticed to his father at the age of 13. His father introduced him to the working with metal and the use of tools with laid the ground work for his skill of engraving. He also learned painting from his father at the age of 13. He preferred to draw and paint than to goldsmithing. He painted a self portrait of himself at 13. This self-portrait took the careful and the accurate work of all of the details to some him his artistic talent. In 1486, Albrechts father sent him to learn painting and wood working from Michael Wolgemut. Michael Wolgemut was a spectacular painter and woodcut illustrator. In Michael W. s busy shop Albrecht learned the fundamentals of drawing, painting, and wood cutting. Albrecht also helped Micheal W. make some illustrations for books. Michael W. probably took Albrecht to the Netherlands, Basel, Stratsbourg, and in 1492 to Colmar in Alsace. Albrecht spent so much time with him he called him his second father. His main attraction was to see the master, Martin Schongauer. Who at the time was the leading German graphic artist of the time. On the way there Albrecht found out the master had died. On his arrival Martins brothers showed him prints, drawings, and Schongauers perfect engravings from the masters workshop. The prints, drawings, and engravings had a big influence on Albrechts work. Albrecht then went to Basel to stay with another brother of Schongauer, who conducted a goldsmith workshop there. Basel was the center of graphic production and book publishing at the time. In Basel Albrecht made many contacts and contributed a signed woodcut for the title page of the Letters of St. Jerome. The success he had from this woodcut probably led to another commission in Basel. In the fall of 1493, Albrecht went to Stratsbourg where he continued to work for publishers. In the end of May 1494 Albrecht returned to Nurembourg. In July 7, 1494 the 23 year old painter married Agnes Frey. Agnus was the daughter of a merchant. Not long after his marriage in the fall of 1494 he took his first trip to Italy. This visit enabled him to see his good friend Willard Pirckheimer who introduced Albrecht to humanist thought and classical literature. Albrecht spent most of his time of his first trip in Venice, Italy. There he met Jacopo deBarbari. deBarbari whose figures constructed to geometrical methods and proportions inspired Albrecht to live a lifelong study of theoretical writings. In Venice, Albrecht made drawings of exotic figures, animals, and did nature studies. On the ride home Albrecht made a abundant use of his water colors painting the landscape around the Alps. Albrecht returned to Nurembourg by the summer of 1495. With the return of his trip he produced a large amount of paintings and engravings. Albrecht used the medium of engraving because that reflected his theoretical interests. From about 1500 Albrechts concern for the problems of proportion and perspective increased. This action was probably caused by the fresh contacts with the Italian works and study of Vitruvius. In 1502, after a long period of weakness Albrechts father had died. His fathers death had shaken him up a tremendously. Soon after that Albrecht suffered from depression fits and tormenting dreams. â‚ ¬Ã… ¡ His appetite for work had not been impaired due to his father. Venetian school: Giorgione EssayAlbrecht also told Perckheimer that he is not supposed to take drinks or eat from any of the Venetian painters because they all try to copy his work and they are my enemies. In 1509, Albrecht returned home and was elected as a member of Nurembourgs Grand Council. This was a group of 200 men of wealth who sometimes added to their number fellow citizens who had distinguished themselves in other ways. Albrechts new position did not interfere with his artistic production. Back in his workshop he continued to work on the Fall of Man engraving. This engraving was the picture of Adam and Eve standing with the animals. Albrecht changed his method from geometrical construction to the first pair of human beings. The year 1511 was very extraordinary for Albrecht. In that one year he published all of his greatest woodcut series like The Apocalypse, The Large Passion, and The Life of a Virgin. In 1513, Albrecht was mainly concentrating on engraving. He made a charcoal engraved self-portrait of his mother with a personal, tender message. Albrecht was also busy making a huge woodcut Triumphal Procession and Triumphal Arch. In July 1520, Albrecht and his wife took a trip to the Netherlands to see emperor, Charles V. He also had to find new markets for his work. Albrecht did not have good success in the Netherlands but he did meet fellow artists. Albrecht left within a year and produced a number of portrait engravings in Nurembourg. On April 6, 1528, the 57 year old died. At his death his theoretical treaties were not fully completed. Some of them were already published. According to Albrecht, capturing the beauty of the human body is the most meaningful aim of art. But this cannot be realized without knowledge of proportion and anatomy, and only through geometry can be true beauty be known.