Colophon 1509 - 1512

Albrecht Dürer created this intriguing print, "Colophon," around 1511. It's a masterclass in the power of the written word, transformed into visual art through the precise and deliberate use of typography. The composition is dominated by neat rows of text. The arrangement of the letters creates a dense, almost impenetrable block. This solid structure is then destabilized by the slight variations in line length, creating a subtle visual rhythm. The texture of the paper itself, aged and marked, adds another layer to this interplay of structure and chance. The words, of course, are not just visual elements; they carry a message—a warning against those who would dare to copy or profit from Dürer’s work. Thus, through the very form of the print, Dürer asserts his authority and lays claim to his intellectual property, revealing the complex interplay between art, commerce, and the emerging concept of the artist’s unique genius.