Albrecht Durer Quotes

A collection of quotes by Albrecht Durer.

Albrecht Durer (1471-1528) was a renowned Northern Renaissance artist and one of Germany's greatest painters, printmakers, and theorists. Born in Nuremberg, Germany, Durer displayed exceptional artistic talent from a young age. He received a diverse education, training as a goldsmith, painter, and draughtsman.

Durer's travels across Europe significantly influenced his artistic style and skills. He studied under various masters in Germany before embarking on a journey to Italy, where he learned from prominent Italian Renaissance artists. This trip greatly impacted his understanding of perspective, proportion, and classical aesthetics, which he integrated into his work.

Throughout his career, Durer produced an extensive body of work, including paintings, drawings, prints, and engravings. His prints, in particular, revolutionized the art of printmaking with their technical mastery, intricate details, and innovative use of light and shadow. They often portrayed biblical and mythological subjects, as well as landscapes and portraits.

Durer's artistic achievements extended beyond his own works; he also published treatises on measurement, geometry, and human proportions, contributing to the development of artistic theory. His writings, such as "Four Books on Measurement," exemplified his analytical and mathematical approach to art.

Albrecht Durer's legacy lies not only in his exceptional artistic talent and technical skill but also in his influence on subsequent generations of artists. His works continue to inspire and captivate art enthusiasts, while his theoretical knowledge and innovative techniques remain influential in the field of art.

If a man devotes himself to art, much evil is avoided that h

If a man devotes himself to art, much evil is avoided that happens otherwise if one is idle.

Albrecht Durer


But I shall let the little I have learnt go forth into the d

But I shall let the little I have learnt go forth into the day in order that someone better than I may guess the truth, and in his work may prove and rebuke my error. At this I shall rejoice that I was yet a means whereby this truth has come to light.

Albrecht Durer

Truth Work Order Light

My father suffered much and toiled painfully all his life, f

My father suffered much and toiled painfully all his life, for he had no resources other than the proceeds of his trade from which to support himself and his wife and family.

Albrecht Durer

Life Family

No single man can be taken as a model for a perfect figure,

No single man can be taken as a model for a perfect figure, for no man lives on earth who is endowed with the whole of beauty.

Albrecht Durer

Beauty

What beauty is, I know not, though it adheres to many things

What beauty is, I know not, though it adheres to many things.

Albrecht Durer

Beauty

As I grew older, I realized that it was much better to insis

As I grew older, I realized that it was much better to insist on the genuine forms of nature, for simplicity is the greatest adornment of art.

Albrecht Durer

Art

I think Chinese leadership is trying to tell the world they

I think Chinese leadership is trying to tell the world they have another set of logic or reasoning or values which are different from yours. Of course, I don't think they believe that. It's just an argument that's made when you can't confront the truth and facts. They really want to maintain power.

Ai Weiwei

Deception/lying

I hold that the perfection of form and beauty is contained i

I hold that the perfection of form and beauty is contained in the sum of all men.

Albrecht Durer

Beauty