The Patina Journal - Albrecht Dürer Artist Blog

Geoffrey C. Smith
4 days ago
2 min read

Geoffrey's selfie with the Albrecht Dürer Statue monument

Dear Friends,

When I was a boy, my Grandfather "Snook" taught me how to carve beautiful duck decoys, first in soft basswood and then in the much harder, more beautiful walnut. We would sit in his workshop in California, whittling away while he told me stories of his adventures as a young man. I loved the time we spent talking. I didn't know it at the time, but he was helping to "carve" my future. History matters because it shapes us into the people we are today.

This summer, I went to Europe to walk in the footsteps of the artists who inspire me. First stop was Nuremberg, Germany. I toured the home/studio of the Renaissance artist, Albrecht Dürer. He was born in 1471 and died in 1528. During his life, he became and continues to be Germany's most famous printmaker and painter.

Germany's first monument to honor an artist wasn't conceived until 1828 to commemorate Albrecht Dürer. Above, I am pictured in front of the historic landmark where the foundation stone was laid on the 300th anniversary of his death. The monument was completed in 1840 and memorialized the lasting legacy of a great artist. He is a man more popular today than he was when he walked the earth almost 500 years ago. His spirit and presence persist.

As an artist, he was not afraid to try new artistic methods. Albrecht’s idea of proliferating his art through the medium of printmaking was a new concept at the time. His original paintings were few and hidden away in private collections. He was very successful in selling his prints and undoubtedly inspired other artists, such as Raphael and Titian, to promote their own work in print.

Albrecht began a longstanding tradition of artists to create pieces that showcase "the rabbit." From Van Gogh to modern artists like Hunt Slonem, painting a rabbit continues to be a favorite art subject. Albrecht Dürer’s Young Hare is one of his most famous paintings and was completed in 1502. I created my own rabbit tribute, Winnie, working from a live model that I brought into the studio. Though I must admit the rabbit was not a wild Florida marsh rabbit but rather our children's pet Netherland Dwarf rabbit. You can see a picture of Winnie the sculpture in this artist blog.

I feel akin to Dürer as he built his own business by creating and selling his art as I have evolved my own business from carving ducks to crafting artworks present in prominent places. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring his home, printing studio, and gallery that displayed some of his art. I was able to feel the presence of his life, and his legacy as an artist.

Be well, be safe, and be loved.

~ Geoffrey

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