Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528). Born in Nuremberg. Father a Hungarian goldsmith. Apprenticed for four years to Michael Wolgemuth who produced woodcuts for book illustration. Worked in Basle on woodcut illustrations and returned to Nuremberg in 1494. During same year visited Venice and returned in 1495. Settled in Nuremburg producing paintings and woodcuts. In 1498 published in series, The Apocalypse and later The Great Passion (1498-1510) and The Life of the Virgin .(1501-11). Pioneered the development of the woodcut and engraving on copper and became not only artist, but also printer and publisher. Studied mathematics, geometry and perspective. Visited Venice (1505-7) and met Giovanni Bellini. Also visited Bologna. Painted The Feast of the Rose Garlands for German merchants in Venice. Court painter to the Emperor Maximilian in 1512. Between 1510 and 1520 produced many engravings. In 1520 travelled to the Netherlands returning to Nuremberg in 1521. Painted The Four Apostles and presented it to the town in 1526. Mainly known for his graphic work, but water colour landscapes made in Italy are highly respected. Died in 1528 possibly of fever contracted in the swamps of the Netherlands. (see Ruskin and Dürer)