It is unlikely that there will be a person in the world who has at least never heard of a graver and a genius named Albrecht Durer. The biography of this artist was not too stormy, but he left the world with so many amazing and terrific works admiring his contemporaries that they can only be compared with the creative heritage that belongs to Leonardo da Vinci. The painter was born in the heyday of the Renaissance in the famous commercial German city of Nuremberg in May 1471. He died in April 1568. It all happened in the same Nuremberg. Between these dates is the life of a great man. So, Albrecht Durer - a brief biography.
They say that every master painter is influenced by a master or teacher. Durer had three such people who actually formed his views, creative principles and approaches. First, it is his father - as follows from many sources, a Hungarian jeweler. Secondly, his godfather, who devoted himself to publishing books. And, finally, his friend Vilibald Pirkheimer, thanks to which the German painter for the rest of his life fell in love with the ideals of the Italian Renaissance. Albrecht Durer, whose biography does not abound in mystical and incredible events, is still known for his mysterious paintings and engravings, where the desire for perfect harmony and the horrors of cruel time intertwined.
In his native city, the beginning genius studied with the master Volgemut, where he mastered the basics of not only painting, but woodcuts. But he was attracted more and more by engraving. He heard that one of the best specialists in this field lives in Colmar - Martin Schongauer. The artist wanted to meet with him to learn this art, but he did not succeed. But how could something stop a man like Albrecht Durer? The biography of the artist tells us about his dedication. The painter leaves for Basel and there for several years he studies the skill of illustrating books, and also improves himself as an engraver. In 1494 he gets on his feet, marries. The artist acquires his workshop and begins to earn. This allows him to carry out an old dream - to go to Italy. What does Albrecht Durer meet there? Biography of the artist in this fairy-tale country has undergone unexpected changes - he gets acquainted with the crowned individuals (in particular, with the emperor Maximilian I) and enjoys their favor.
Receiving a special scholarship, Dürer was able to create a huge number of works to travel further in Europe, in particular, the Netherlands. He did not spare money for his paintings and used the most prestigious and expensive paints that existed at that time. Every day he trained in drawing - and we have reached more than nine hundred sheets, made in a stunningly perfect graphic technique. He embodied in his paintings and drawings various types of contemporary people - from peasants and dandies to beautiful exquisite women. He drew animals and plants as if they were photographed. Albrecht Durer - the artist, who loved the kings - was also a master of landscapes. His paintings on religious themes make you feel touched and think about the good and eternal ("Adoration of the Magi"). They are also full of mysteries, over which scientists are still fighting ("The Savior of the World"). He was the first in Germany to draw nudity ("Adam and Eve") and created multi-figure, full of vitality compositions. His portraits and self-portraits convey character traits and spiritual secrets. Strange wild landscapes on his prints, waiting for the horrors of the Apocalypse and the triumph of death even now make viewers think about the most important thing. Durer will always remain a great artist - because interest in him has not weakened for more than one hundred years.