Christof Metzger

This catalog was published to accompany a massive Dürer exhibition in the Albertina in Vienna from September 2019 to January 2020. As far as I can tell, this book can serve as the new go-to publication on Dürer as a draughtsman and print maker - with the following caveat: Dürer has a legacy of nearly 1000 drawings, about 90 paintings and hundreds of woodcuts, and 3 theoretical books, so do not expect a full overview in these 488 pages.

As is the nature of the Albertina museum, the book focuses on Albrecht Dürer's drawings, but includes some paintings and woodcuts too. The exhibition held 205 works, and there are 32 illustrations of other works not included in the exhibition. Most if not all famous Dürer drawings are included - the exhibition had loans from 23 other museums around the world.

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Full review on Weighing A Pig Doesn't Fatten It… (más)

This catalogue finally got to my turn on Friday, Jan 3 (library hold list). I've learned a lot from it, would probably get a lot out of another viewing, but on the last day? Forget it! No chance of getting near the pictures I really want to see again. But Oh! the book is heavy. I think I'll be glad to give it back. I'm very glad I didn't buy it! Still, the articles are quite accessible, which isn't always the case. I do get amused at the long discussions of whether or not a piece was finished, what it means that some parts are detailed, other parts more vague. You want my opinion? He thought with his fingers, drew what caught his attention, and kept the drawings because he didn't have an iPad with a camera to hold all these details for him.

If you are interested in Dürer, and can get hold of the catalogue, it's worth reading. I'm reading the German, but it is also available in English, and the Albertina uses good translators. (One place where I often cheat and read the English rather than the German.)

Much more pictures than text, of course, but still a fair amount of text. As I said above, it was accessible, a lot of it pointing out how his drawings were sometimes part of designing a larger work, but often just his working things out, but then later being pulled out to provide the basis for various figures in the large works. They showed illustrations of both their works and other museums' works that are related to the works on show. I enjoyed the text, I learned quite a bit from it, and it increased my appreciation of the pictures.

It's just a really big heavy object. About 2.5 kg. For me that means it has to be supported on a table, chair arm, or something that is NOT me.… (más)