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Time-Life Library of Art
The World of Dürer: 1471-1528
This life story of the great 15th-century German artist is generously illustrated with reproductions of his work
183 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1967
About the author
Francis Russell
85 books19 followersFrancis Russell was an American author specializing in American history and historical figures.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 22, 2021
Well, it's full of Albrech Dürer's artwork, so of course it's great. The artwork is 5 stars, the text is 3, so I give it 4 as a whole.
It's also got a nice presentation of what was going on around him during his life. Dürer lived through an exceedingly turbulent time in Europe, as the previously unshakeable hold of the Catholic Church was shattered by Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. In addition to all of the other ways in which this was important, this had a profound affect on the primary sponsor of art in Europe at that time, and Dürer was one of the generation of artists who had to find a different way to make a living than relying on the patronage of the church. Perhaps partly as a result, Dürer's paintings and woodcuts reflect a wider variety of topics than it might have if he had been born a century before.
The text that accompanies scores of Dürer's works, and roughly as many works by his peers and forebears, is not bad. The author does have a curious grudge against Dürer's wife, going out of his way on numerous occasions to describe her in a negative tone. As far as I can tell, there isn't much source for this other than the fact that Dürer wrote a letter to one of his friends in which he was not happy about her, and one of his friends didn't like her, but for all we know this was written during a bad week in a good marriage. He used her as a model several times throughout his life, and went on a year-long trip with her when he was in his early 50's, so they must not have been all that upset with one another. I think it is a common failing of historians or writers whose subject is centuries in the grave, to believe themselves better informed about the subject's personal life than they are. But regardless, if one ignores that, the text does a good job of telling us things like, who was Dürer making this for? What previous works was it similar to (or a marked contrast to)? What would the intended audience have seen in it that we in later centuries normally miss?
Really, though, let's be honest: you don't get a book like this for the text. This is Dürer's work, and lots of it. The man was nearly unrivalled in his own time (Hieronymous Bosch, in my opinion, was his only true peer), and still stands out five centuries later.
It's also got a nice presentation of what was going on around him during his life. Dürer lived through an exceedingly turbulent time in Europe, as the previously unshakeable hold of the Catholic Church was shattered by Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. In addition to all of the other ways in which this was important, this had a profound affect on the primary sponsor of art in Europe at that time, and Dürer was one of the generation of artists who had to find a different way to make a living than relying on the patronage of the church. Perhaps partly as a result, Dürer's paintings and woodcuts reflect a wider variety of topics than it might have if he had been born a century before.
The text that accompanies scores of Dürer's works, and roughly as many works by his peers and forebears, is not bad. The author does have a curious grudge against Dürer's wife, going out of his way on numerous occasions to describe her in a negative tone. As far as I can tell, there isn't much source for this other than the fact that Dürer wrote a letter to one of his friends in which he was not happy about her, and one of his friends didn't like her, but for all we know this was written during a bad week in a good marriage. He used her as a model several times throughout his life, and went on a year-long trip with her when he was in his early 50's, so they must not have been all that upset with one another. I think it is a common failing of historians or writers whose subject is centuries in the grave, to believe themselves better informed about the subject's personal life than they are. But regardless, if one ignores that, the text does a good job of telling us things like, who was Dürer making this for? What previous works was it similar to (or a marked contrast to)? What would the intended audience have seen in it that we in later centuries normally miss?
Really, though, let's be honest: you don't get a book like this for the text. This is Dürer's work, and lots of it. The man was nearly unrivalled in his own time (Hieronymous Bosch, in my opinion, was his only true peer), and still stands out five centuries later.
April 19, 2011
This book was a good lesson for me. I knew very little about Dürer before. I knew he made woodcuts and engravings, was responsible for "the praying hands," etc. Apparently the "hands" piece is just a study for a large altarpiece. The diversity of Dürer's talent is most evident. He used the woodcut, engraving and etching to publish and reproduce his art to all levels of society in Europe at a crucial time.
Other artists appear in context with some of their work. Grunewald's Isenheim Altarpiece is incredible and elaborate, laid out over several pages with instructions on folding the pages to view it. Dürer's 192-woodcut Triumphal Arch shows on pages 130-131, which he made for Maximilian I. I'm familiar with Holbein and Cranach, but I learned new things about them as well.
In the final chapter, at the height of Dürer's doomsday fears (the last vestiges of middle-age superstition), he dreamed of a deluge. He awoke and used watercolor to record a landscape with bomb-like floods falling from the sky. It's a remarkable illustration that reminds me of how important Dürer was to graphic design. You can see it here (if the link doesn't work just google "durer dream").
Other artists appear in context with some of their work. Grunewald's Isenheim Altarpiece is incredible and elaborate, laid out over several pages with instructions on folding the pages to view it. Dürer's 192-woodcut Triumphal Arch shows on pages 130-131, which he made for Maximilian I. I'm familiar with Holbein and Cranach, but I learned new things about them as well.
In the final chapter, at the height of Dürer's doomsday fears (the last vestiges of middle-age superstition), he dreamed of a deluge. He awoke and used watercolor to record a landscape with bomb-like floods falling from the sky. It's a remarkable illustration that reminds me of how important Dürer was to graphic design. You can see it here (if the link doesn't work just google "durer dream").
May 5, 2019
Albrect Dürer is my all time favorite artist, this book was a blessing on stilts. 💕
June 24, 2018
A well researched and written non-technical overview of the life and art of Albrecht Dürer, part of the Time-Life Library of Art series. Many excellent full page illustrations, both b&w and color, that, in particular, show Dürer's amazing skill as a graphic artist. A pleasure to read and view.
August 21, 2021
Another excellent book in this series, blending art, history and beautiful photos for a high-level look at one of the greats of art. And Durer was pretty amazing, both as an artist and as a pioneer in new art business models.
He's one of the people we can thank for the ideas of selling prints and how art appeals to the greater population. He's one of the first to argue that a pencil sketch can be as good as a grandiose oil painting - it depends on the audience and what they appreciate in it. Today, we take such thinking for granted, but back in Durer's time that was revolutionary.
And if you enjoy ink-style line art, perhaps from comics, you really have to see his woodcut prints. They are incredible. Ditto for anyone who enjoys detailed work. Durer was a world above even his Renaissance peers.
He's one of the people we can thank for the ideas of selling prints and how art appeals to the greater population. He's one of the first to argue that a pencil sketch can be as good as a grandiose oil painting - it depends on the audience and what they appreciate in it. Today, we take such thinking for granted, but back in Durer's time that was revolutionary.
And if you enjoy ink-style line art, perhaps from comics, you really have to see his woodcut prints. They are incredible. Ditto for anyone who enjoys detailed work. Durer was a world above even his Renaissance peers.
July 19, 2012
Loved Durer when I was younger. (Still do, but I was very keen on him back them and reading everything I could about him.) Really liked this book.
June 15, 2017
This is the second in a long series published by Time-Life. I learned a great deal about the artist since until now, I was only acquainted with his "Praying Hands" and the watercolor of the Young Hare. He is mainly known as an engraver of both woodcuts and copper plate and created literally thousands of them. Because the printing press had recently been invented, this allowed him to literally cover the landscape with his work so that he became almost a household name at the time. But he was also a marvelous painter and this book covers how his ability grew.
The book also covers the history of the time period, placing everything in context and briefly covers other artists of that era as well. Beautifully illustrated.
The book also covers the history of the time period, placing everything in context and briefly covers other artists of that era as well. Beautifully illustrated.
October 5, 2022
Excellent introduction to Dürer that looks backward to his mentor, around to his peers in Italy, and forward to his successors. This places Dürer in context, while still exploring his phenomenal output of woodcarvings, engravings, and paintings. You may want a more comprehensive collection of Dürer to go with this, as Russell often references works that are not included - or are only included in miniature.
July 17, 2018
Rather wonderfully detailed account of Dürer by Russell. I also loved how Russell shows some of the people/situations Dürer came across that influenced his work. And that Dürer's interests lay beyond just fine art! The drawings/prints/paintings included are a feast for the eyes.
April 23, 2026
Library hardbound - It's an excellent introduction to Durer's life and times.
September 29, 2026
Great book, covering the life and times of this great artist. He was a master woodcutter, which went into making many elaborate paper prints. Printing had only recently been invented at this time.
September 3, 2012
The World of Durer by Francis Russell
I read this as part of my Art History project. I really liked this book because it did such a good job of placing Durer in his time and place. Durer was a prolific artist whose home was Nuremberg although he traveled both to Italy and to the Netherlands. Russell gives a good description of life in Durer's time. He also show the work of other artists before, during, and after Durer. The book does not go into great detail but is a good overview of Durer and his times.
I read this as part of my Art History project. I really liked this book because it did such a good job of placing Durer in his time and place. Durer was a prolific artist whose home was Nuremberg although he traveled both to Italy and to the Netherlands. Russell gives a good description of life in Durer's time. He also show the work of other artists before, during, and after Durer. The book does not go into great detail but is a good overview of Durer and his times.
April 16, 2023
This is an excellent Art book and a reminder that old Time-Life Art Books remain a quality product if you can find them - full of scholarly research into the life of artists and their influences and complete with a large range of quality image reproductions. I particularly like this book for its social and political context for the work of Durer and reference to his important artistic and humanist contemporaries, the role of his workshop and the artists that he influenced.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews