Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528, German) is considered one of the foremost artists of the Renaissance. Originally trained as a goldsmith, Dürer began his career as a printmaker and painter in 1495 after a trip to Italy. His works, which often depict religious subjects, demonstrate unprecedented skill, tonal variation, and compositional sophistication. His prowess and popular success earned him the position of court artist for Holy Roman Emperors Maximilian I and Charles V. Dürer's art helped transform printmaking from a craft into a fine art.
