Albrecht Dürer

Albrecht Dürer (pronounced [ˈalbʀɛçt ˈdyʀɐ]) (May 21, 1471 – April 6, 1528)

Albrecht Dürer was a German painter, a famous graphic artist, one of the most talented masters of the west-European’s Renaissance art. Was born in Nurnberg in 1471 (21st of May) and brought up by his father, a well-known jeweller. At first, the head of the family wanted him to follow his steps, but fortunately he had discovered his son’s talent for painting. At the age of 15, the young Albrecht was sent to the studio of the leading Nurnberg’s painter - Michael Wolgemut , where he was taught Pictorial art and engraving. Thereafter, began his creative work. He had embodied the expectation of the world- wide and historical changes in his intense-expressional forms, fantastic images (series of engravings "Apocalypse", 1498), had expressed humanistic outlook about sense of life and art problems (Masterful engravings, 1513-14). Moreover, Dürer has created the image of the Reformation Epoch’s person, full of forces and energy («the Portrait of the young man», 1521, diptych «Four apostles», 1526) and the image of the common people (an engraving «Three peasants»). Altogether more than 900 paintings.

I was really impressed and captivated when I first saw his engraving “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”. In this engraving the painter had depicted 4 people on the horses, riding very headily and tearing at the fool speed diagonally. These 4 horsemen represent such symbolical notions like war, pestilence, justice and death, which are no doubt connected with a biblical theme. In support of it we can see an angel, soaring in the swirling clouds, bordered with nervous outlines. It seems to me that it’s hard to say the destination of the angel in this picture. Probably, he is giving his blessing to the apocalyptical army. But at the same time my mind crosses the idea that the angel is not bringing destruction but carrying hope and good. In the left corner of the engraving we could recognize some kind of a monster. I suppose, it symbolizes Lucifer, who is devouring the emperor. It is nothing but the problem of the greedy and vainglorious humanity, that have to be obliterated. But it is just a small part of the picture’s meaning. The main figure, penetrating this masterpiece, is the eternal fight of good and evil. Perhaps, Durer wanted to show us the importance of the religion for those times and somehow predicted future disasters of the humanity. What I mostly like about this painting is the emotional tensity. It is reached with the help of the opposition: dark parallel shading against the big stains of a pure white paper and places, where forms are hardly designated by thin lines. Fear, desperation, emptiness and fight – that’s what I feel. My emotions are to mixed, but this philosophical engraving touch me on the row deeply. No words could describe my trembling soul. Everything is so intricate, but one is clear – this is a warning for the humanity. Who knows, how it will tern.