Albrecht DÜRER (1471-1528), after - Lot 121

Albrecht DÜRER (1471-1528), after Jealousy Burin on laid paper Late 19th-century print 32 x 22 cm (Yellowed paper, minor pitting) NOTICE Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) was one of the greatest artists of the German Renaissance, renowned for his engravings, paintings and drawings of exceptional precision and richness of detail. Born in Nuremberg, Dürer quickly demonstrated a precocious talent for drawing and engraving, becoming one of the first artists to elevate the print to the status of a work of art. His mastery of perspective, his naturalistic sense of observation, and his ability to capture human complexity and the beauty of nature make him a key figure in European art. Dürer traveled extensively, notably to Italy, where he was strongly influenced by Italian Renaissance masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Andrea Mantegna and Giovanni Bellini. These influences can be seen in his use of proportion and perspective, as well as in his depiction of the human body, which he studied scientifically, as evidenced by his writings on human proportions. Famous works such as the engraving Le Chevalier, la Mort et le Diable (1513), Melencolia I (1514) and the drawing of Rhinoceros (1515) illustrate his technical and symbolic genius. Among his close contemporaries, Lucas Cranach the Elder, another major figure of the German Renaissance, shared with Dürer an interest in portraiture and the skilful use of engraving. Hans Holbein the Younger, although a little younger, is also close to Dürer in his attention to detail and the finesse of his portraits, although Holbein excelled above all in the art of court portraiture. In Italy, Raphael and Michelangelo also had an influence on Dürer, particularly in their treatment of anatomy and quest for formal perfection. Dürer played a central role in spreading the artistic innovations of the Italian Renaissance to Northern Europe, while making his own unique contribution through his scientific approach and virtuoso engravings. His ability to combine Nordic naturalism with Italian classical rigor made him a bridge between two artistic worlds, and one of the great masters of Western art.