Erasmus of Rotterdam
1526
Medium
Engraving
Dimensions
sheet: 9 3/4 x 7 1/2 in. (24.8 x 19.1 cm) trimmed within plate line at top and bottom, slight margin at sides
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Fletcher Fund, 1919
Accession Number
19.73.120
Tags
Art Historical Context
Albrecht Dürer's *Erasmus of Rotterdam* (1526) is a engraving capturing the renowned Dutch philosopher and humanist scholar Desiderius Erasmus in a moment of intellectual contemplation. Depicted with books and writing implements, Erasmus embodies the Renaissance ideal of the learned man, surrounded by symbols of knowledge that reflect his prolific output as a theologian, satirist, and advocate for church reform. This intimate portrait, measuring about 9¾ x 7½ inches, showcases Dürer's unparalleled skill in the Northern Renaissance tradition. As one of the greatest printmakers of his era, Düre...
About the Artist
Albrecht Dürer · 1471–1528
Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528) stands as the preeminent figure of the Northern Renaissance and arguably the most influential artist in the history of printmaking. Born in Nuremberg on May 21, 1471, and dying in the same city on April 6, 1528, Dürer revolutionized the status of the artist in Northern Europe, transforming printmaking from a commercial craft into an independent fine art and establishing ...