ALBRECHT DÜRER - Rhinoceros

THE ARTWORK

Albrecht Dürer’s Rhinoceros is a woodcut print created in 1515, depicting an Indian rhinoceros. The artwork became widely influential despite the fact that Dürer had never seen the animal himself. His representation was based on descriptions and a sketch brought to Europe after a rhinoceros was sent as a gift from India to the King of Portugal. Dürer’s print combines accurate anatomical details, such as the animal’s tough skin, with fantastical elements, like armored plates and a small horn on its back, reflecting the limitations of his sources.

Although inaccurate, the woodcut was hugely popular and reprinted for centuries, shaping European perceptions of the rhinoceros for a long time. The piece exemplifies Dürer’s ability to blend imagination with natural observation, contributing to his reputation as one of the leading artists of the Northern Renaissance. The work remains an iconic example of the blend between science and art during the period.

THE ARTIST

Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528) was a German Renaissance artist renowned for his mastery of various mediums, including painting, printmaking, and engraving. Born in Nuremberg, Dürer apprenticed with local painters before traveling to study in the Netherlands and Italy, where he was influenced by the works of Italian Renaissance masters. He became known for his precise draftsmanship, innovative techniques, and intellectual curiosity.

Dürer's prints, such as "Melencolia I" and "Knight, Death and the Devil," are celebrated for their technical virtuosity and symbolic complexity, reflecting his interests in mathematics, philosophy, and theology. His paintings, including "Self-Portrait at Twenty-Eight" and "Adam and Eve," demonstrate his skill in portraying human anatomy and emotion.

Dürer's work had a profound impact on European art, elevating printmaking to a respected medium and influencing subsequent generations of artists. He also authored influential treatises on proportion and perspective, further solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest artists of the Northern Renaissance.

THE PRINT

• A4 Size = 29.7cm x 21cm = 11.7" x 8.25"
• A3 Size = 42cm x 29.7cm = 16.5" x 11.7"
• High resolution giclée print - 600dpi
• Printed to order
• Unframed & unmounted
• Professionally printed using Canon imagePROGRAF printers
• Digitally restored by OharaPrints from high resolution scans of the original artwork
• Made in and shipped from Casterton, Victoria, Australia

PAPER

• Canson Infinity - Arches BFK Rives White
• Paper weight = 310gsm
• 100% cotton
• Archival, museum grade
• Acid free
• No OBAs (optical brightening agents)

Arches BFK Rives is a high-quality, archival-grade paper manufactured at the Arches paper mill in France - one of the oldest papermakers in Europe. It is made from 100% cotton rag using a time-honoured manufacturing process, giving the paper exceptional durability, longevity, and resistance to yellowing or deterioration over time. Despite its substantial weight and thickness it maintains a very soft and supple feel. The paper has a natural white tone and is completely free of any optical brighteners (OBAs), allowing for superb colour rendition and deep blacks.

INK

• Canon Lucia Pro Inks
• Pigment based
• Archival, museum-grade
• Brilliant colours, even gradient and razor-sharp lines
• Highly stable and fade resistant, excellent humidity-fastness

SHIPPING & HANDLING

• All orders are dispatched on the NEXT BUSINESS DAY after receiving the order
• All prints are shipped via AUSTRALIA POST with TRACKING
• For postage rates and estimated delivery times please see our SHIPPING page
• All prints are shipped flat, not rolled
• Each print is individually placed into a resealable, archival grade plastic protective sleeve
• Prints are carefully packaged in very sturdy 700gsm cardboard envelopes, along with 1050gsm boxboard sheets which provide extra strength & rigidity to prevent bending or folding during transit