The German Albrecht Durer (1471-1528) - in German Dürer - was a multimedia artist that worked with painting but has made impressive artworks in engravings, which were considered a lower art medium. His engravings got a different reputation at the end of the XIX century, influencing many avant-guard movements. He’s considered the greatest Renaissance Artist from Northern Europe.
Durer was a very religious man and knew deeply the gospels, which were the theme of many of his artworks. This versatility is has made him the official painter of the Maximilian I Empire, who patronized Durer because of his Catholic devotion. Remembering that the iconoclastic Protestants were conquesting many followers throughout the German countries, and the Holy Roman Empire – which was ruling most part of those territories -, had to carry on with the Catholic beliefs.
The attached image is part of the 15 engravings series entitled the Apocalypse (1496-1498) and was based on Saint John’s Gospel. The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse depicts a chaotic scene, not relied on the naturalism but using the fantastical language. That image was classified as vibrant but violent, which was a counterpoint to the Renaissence serenity.
The movement and the expressions of the subjects was revolutionary. Durer has lived and studied in Italy, being in touch with many Renaissance masters. But in this series, he has explored different manners to compose it, which were revived by artists from movements that would emerge in the next centuries, like the Mannerism and the Baroque. Later the Expressionist and the Surrealist Artists reclaimed Durer’s engravings as inspirational.
