Albrecht Durer (1471 – 1528) was a German painter, printmaker, and theorist of the Northern Renaissance. Born in Nuremberg, he gained fame in his twenties with intricate woodcut prints. Durer was influenced by Italian artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael and worked under the patronage of Emperor Maximilian I.
He mastered engraving, producing famous works such as Knight, Death and the Devil (1513) and Melencolia I (1514). Durer also pioneered landscape painting with detailed watercolors. His writings on perspective and human proportions made a lasting impact on art theory.
After traveling to Italy, he integrated Renaissance techniques into his art. Durer created religious and mythological works, including The Four Apostles (1526). He also collaborated on scientific illustrations. His final years were dedicated to writing and theory before his death in 1528. Durer remains one of the most influential figures in Western art.