Wappen Pirckheimer 1517

Albrecht Durer made this drawing, Wappen Pirckheimer, using pen and ink on paper, around the turn of the 16th century. The even, controlled hatching that defines the lower half of the shield shows how Durer built tone and depth with simple means. Note how the wreath of leaves curls and bends, a feat of close observation and manual dexterity. Durer used metalpoint, where a stylus of silver, gold, or lead is drawn across a prepared ground. The amount of labor involved is a key to its value. This kind of drawing was made at the intersection of the print shop and the goldsmith’s studio. Durer apprenticed as a woodblock carver early in his career and ran a large workshop later, so he knew the value of repeatable images. He also came from a family of goldsmiths and understood the value of unique, handmade objects. Understanding how Durer’s drawings were made and the traditions he belonged to helps us appreciate his central position between craft, art, and commerce.