Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528)

This catalogue finally got to my turn on Friday, Jan 3 (library hold list). I've learned a lot from it, would probably get a lot out of another viewing, but on the last day? Forget it! No chance of getting near the pictures I really want to see again. But Oh! the book is heavy. I think I'll be glad to give it back. I'm very glad I didn't buy it! Still, the articles are quite accessible, which isn't always the case. I do get amused at the long discussions of whether or not a piece was show more finished, what it means that some parts are detailed, other parts more vague. You want my opinion? He thought with his fingers, drew what caught his attention, and kept the drawings because he didn't have an iPad with a camera to hold all these details for him.

If you are interested in Dürer, and can get hold of the catalogue, it's worth reading. I'm reading the German, but it is also available in English, and the Albertina uses good translators. (One place where I often cheat and read the English rather than the German.)

Much more pictures than text, of course, but still a fair amount of text. As I said above, it was accessible, a lot of it pointing out how his drawings were sometimes part of designing a larger work, but often just his working things out, but then later being pulled out to provide the basis for various figures in the large works. They showed illustrations of both their works and other museums' works that are related to the works on show. I enjoyed the text, I learned quite a bit from it, and it increased my appreciation of the pictures.

It's just a really big heavy object. About 2.5 kg. For me that means it has to be supported on a table, chair arm, or something that is NOT me. show less

I bought this book at the Seattle Art Museum after visiting their special exhibit of Graphic Masters, which included many pieces from Albrecht Dürer (1471 – 1528); he was most famous for his high-quality woodcut prints, having gained great success since his twenties. This Dover publication joyfully contained many pieces that were exhibited. The contents are crisp and direct – 1.5 pages of introduction and 93 prints with titles. While many are religious themed (not my thing), I still show more find the pages to be highly enjoyable – inconceivable details, clear delineation from people to objects, from land to sky, excellent portions, delicate birds, foliage, etc. I can trace my finger through each line and see that each line is exactly where it should be.

Some eye-catching pieces:
7) The Martyrdom of the Ten Thousand Christians – Having read the title first, the art is well, brutal. Eeeew.

10) The Men’s Bath – An outdoor bath scene with castles and city wall in the background, men are chilling out, drinking beer (presumably since Dürer is German), playing music, socializing, while wearing tiny loin cloths and NOT taking a bath. I laughed.

50) The Fall – Adam and Eve are being kicked out of Paradise. Eve, shall we say, is bootylicious. Adam isn’t bad, either. Again, I laughed.

60) View of the Entire Triumphal Arch – I wish I can see all of this in detail as the few enlargements in subsequent pages are astonishing.

81) Back Part of the Imperial Car in Original Size – Beautiful carriage attended by multiple themed characters. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Triumphal_Carriage show less

Durer 101

Dover has been saving the world from itself for decades. Long before the internet and e-books, it was busy resurrecting books from obscurity, reformatting them as readable, affordable editions of great societal value. Now this “Pictorial Series” of e-book allows us to see the best-ofs of major artists lost in the dusts of time and the megalopolis of new art and artists.

There is no great discovery here, no investigation, interview or controversy. There is a simple, quick show more biography followed by 94 plates and you’re on your own as to their quality and value. I for one have always been fascinated with woodcuts, a particular form of masochism that has the ability to astound when done well. And there are endless examples of it being done well. Durer’s ability to maintain proportion and perspective, his use of shading and depth, and his scientific appreciation of the human body are all on display here.

David Wineberg show less

A pesar de no ser muy amigo de los libros de arte, no puedo dejar de recomendar este más que merecido homenaje a la obra de Alberto Durero, como le decimos por estas tierras. Destaco la calidad de las reproducciones, mucho mejor que la de cualquier imagen que se pueda encontrar en internet (sobre todo para grabados consideradas "menores"); así como las breves descripciones de cada pieza, que aportan detalles que podrían pasar desapercibidos al ojo poco atento.