Albrecht Dürer

Albrecht Dürer was born in in Nuremberg in 1471, in present-day Germany. He trained under his father, a goldsmith, learning the art of shaping an engraving jewellery. He studied for four years under local artist, Michael Wolgemut, who specialised in artistic woodcuts for books.

After travelling extensively throughout Europe as a young man, Dürer returned to Nuremberg in 1495 to set up his own workshop. From about 1500 Dürer's art showed the Northern European influence in its anatomical detail, and close study of mathematics and geometry in pursuit of the mastery of proportion and perspective.

Dürer’s vast body of work includes altar pieces and religious works, numerous portraits and self-portraits, copper engravings and woodcuts. Durer achieved most of his impact through his printmaking, and he is credited with bringing the medium more depth, tone and detail and elevating it to the level of an artform of its own.

Before his death in 1528, Dürer focussed on theoretical and scientific essays and illustrations. The best-known German Renaissance artist, Dürer achieved acclaim and influence throughout Europe during his lifetime.