Albrecht Dürer (Germany, 1471–1528). The Four Horsemen, Plate 4 from the Apocalypse, published 1498. Woodcut on paper, image: 15 5/8 x 11 3/16 in., sheet: 16 7/8 x 11 ¾ in. Collection of George Amos Poole, Jr., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington.

BLOOMINGTON, IN.- The Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art announced the summer opening of Albrecht Dürer: Apocalypse and Other Masterworks from Indiana University Collections, the first-ever exhibition to survey the university’s impressive holdings by this important and perennially popular Old Master.

Soon after assuming his post in 1896 as Indiana University’s first art instructor, Alfred Mansfield Brooks acquired a small selection of prints by the Albrecht Dürer (Germany, 1471–1528) for study and exhibition in his classroom. Today, these works are among more than fifty by the pioneering Renaissance printmaker in IU collections. 

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Martyrdom of the Ten Thousand, ca. 1496. Woodcut on paper. Image/sheet: 15 5/16 x 11 1/8 in. (38.9 x 28.3 cm). Museum purchase with funds from Ann Edens Sanderson and Ray Morse Sanderson, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2007.13.

 Drawing on the collections of both the Eskenazi Museum of Art and the Lilly Library, the exhibition features engravings, etchings, and woodcuts spanning the length of Dürer’s career, in addition to early printed books illustrated and, in one case, authored by the artist. A small but revealing choice of works by sixteenth-century copyists and imitators rounds out this selection, affording additional insights into Dürer’s powerful influence and legacy.

“Dürer’s ability to infuse black-and-white images on paper with a truly remarkable amount of depth, detail, and drama has kept viewers enthralled and coming back for more generation after generation. As a bridge between the Italian and Northern Renaissance traditions, he created a graphic vocabulary that pushed his imagery into a whole new realm,” said Nanette Esseck Brewer, Lucienne M. Glaubinger Curator of Works on Paper at the Eskenazi Museum of Art.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Philosophia, from Quatuor libri amorum secundum quatuor latera Germanie (Four Books on Love), 1502 (Lilly Library)

Among the most compelling highlights is the Lilly’s complete Latin edition of the artist’s 1498 Apocalypse, a rarity seldom found in American libraries and museums. Recently unbound for conservation, the fifteen large-scale woodcuts and title page from this groundbreaking publication are on individual display here for the first time. Apocalypse thrust Dürer into the international spotlight almost from the start of his career, bringing to the woodcut medium an unprecedented sophistication and startling audiences with its dynamic, suspenseful vision of end times during an anxious era of tectonic cultural shift.

“As is the case with many of the most famous fifteenth-century books in the Lilly Library, including the New Testament of the Gutenberg Bible, Dürer’s Apocalypse came to the library as part of the book and manuscript collection of George A. Poole, Jr., which was acquired by Indiana University in 1958,” notes the Lilly’s director Joel Silver. “We’re very pleased that these remarkable woodcuts will be a part of this exhibition showcasing Dürer’s life and work.” Two additional books from Poole’s important collection will also be featured, including Dürer’s important treatise Instruction in Measurement, and the Latin edition of the Nuremberg Chronicle, another groundbreaking publication in the history of book illustration.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). An Armillary Sphere, from Geographica (Geography), 1525 (Collection of Bernardo Mendel, Lilly Library)

Other highlights include later works made at the height of Dürer’s career, including his “Master Engravings”: Knight, Death, and the Devil, Melencolia I, and Saint Jerome in His Study—superb impressions of which are in the Eskenazi Museum’s collection. Prized as much for their formal beauty and complexity, as for their soulful and often cryptic play of imagery, the “Master Engravings” are almost irrefutably the most-discussed prints in the history of Western Renaissance art, debated even today among scholars. In addition to these works, the museum’s holdings feature many other well-known prints, including Adam and Eve, Nemesis (The Great Fortune), and The Sea Monster; one of Dürer’s few known etchings, The Cannon; and his complete Engraved Passion. While exploring the artist’s mastery of various print techniques, the exhibition examines his religious, mythological, and secular imagery, including some variations on the same theme.

Of the exhibition, David A. Brenneman, Wilma E. Kelley Director of the Eskenazi Museum of Art, commented, “We are thrilled to partner with the Lilly Library to present these marvelous masterworks in IU collections. The exhibition offers a unique look into the museum’s own print, drawing, and photograph holdings, which number more than 22,000 works, including these outstanding examples by Dürer.”

Martin Schongauer (Alsatian, ca. 1430-February 2, 1491). Christ Crowned with Thorns, ca. 1480. Engraving on paper. Image/sheet: 6 5/16 x 4 1/2 (16 x 11.4 cm). William H. Conroy Memorial, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 71.59.

Curated by Fess Graduate Assistant Leah Marie Chizek under the mentorship of Nanette Esseck Brewer, the Eskenazi Museum of Art’s Lucienne M. Glaubinger Curator of Works on Paper, the exhibition is on view through Sunday, December 19, 2021, in the Rhonda and Anthony Moravec Gallery, Center for Prints, Drawings, and Photographs. The exhibition is supported in part by the Anthony J. and Rhonda L. Moravec Museum of Art Endowment.

A digital catalogue accompanies the exhibition.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). The Prodigal Son, ca. 1496. Engraving on paper. Image/sheet: 9 3/4 × 7 1/2 in. (24.8 × 19.1 cm). Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 75.60.5.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). The Sea Monster, ca. 1498. Engraving on paper. Image/sheet: 9 13/16 × 7 5/8 in. (24.9 × 19.4 cm). William H. Conroy Memorial, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 72.86.1.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Saint Eustace, ca. 1501. Engraving on paper. Image/sheet: 14 x 10 3/16 in. (35.6 x 25.9 cm). William H. Conroy Memorial, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 73.26.

Attributed to Michael Wolgemut. Arrival of the Antichrist, Folio 262v from Liber chronicarum (Nuremberg Chronicle), 1493 (Collection of George A. Poole, Jr., Lilly Library).

Martin Schongauer (Alsatian, ca. 1430-February 2, 1491). Saint Anthony Tormented by Demons, ca. 1470–75. Engraving on paper. Image/sheet: 12 1/4 x 9 1/8 in. (31.1 x 23.3 cm). William H. Conroy Memorial, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 73.29.

 Sometimes attributed to Albrecht Dürer. The four winds (detail) from The Seventh Day of Creation, Folio 5v from Liber chronicarum (Nuremberg Chronicle), 1493 (Collection of George A. Poole, Jr., Lilly Library)

 Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Four Angels Staying the Winds, Plate 6 from Apocalipsis cum figuris (Apocalypse), 1497, published 1498 (Collection of George A. Poole, Jr., Lilly Library).

Unknown artist. Printed by Anton Koberger. Illustration from Apocalypse: The temple and two witnesses; the beast and the witnesses; the woman and the great red dragon, ca. 1478–79, color woodcut, sheet: 4 3/4 x 7 1/2 inches, Saint Louis Art Museum, Gift of J. Lionberger Davis 101:1951.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). The Four Avenging Angels, Plate 8 from Apocalipsis cum figuris (Apocalypse), ca. 1496, published 1498 (Collection of George A. Poole, Jr., Lilly Library)

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). John Devouring the Book, Plate 9 from Apocalipsis cum figuris (Apocalypse), ca. 1498, published 1498 (Collection of George A. Poole, Jr., Lilly Library).

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Saint Michael Fighting the Dragon, Plate 11 from Apocalipsis cum figuris (Apocalypse), ca. 1498, published 1498 (Collection of George A. Poole, Jr., Lilly Library)

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). The Flagellation, Plate 5 from Large Passion, ca. 1496–97,published 1511. Woodcut on paper. Image: 15 × 10 3/4 in. (38.1 × 27.3 cm), sheet: 15 1/8 × 10 15/16 in. (38.4 × 27.8 cm). Gift of Joan W. & Walter E. Wolf, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2016.52.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). The Lamentation, Plate 9 from Large Passion, ca. 1498–99, published 1511. Woodcut on paper. Image/sheet: 15 5/16 × 11 in. (38.9 × 27.9 cm). Woodcut on paper. Gift of Ernst Anspach, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 63.159.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Christ Enters Jerusalem, Plate 6 from Passio Christi (Small Passion), ca. 1508–1509, published 1511 (Lilly Library, donated in memory of Dr. & Mrs. Philip C. Holland; Dr. & Mrs. George Frank Holland; Dr. & Mrs. Philip T. Holland, and Mr. and Mrs. Martin M. Hugg).

 Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Expulsion from the Garden, Plate 3 from Passio Christi (Small Passion), 1510, published 1511 (Lilly Library, donated in memory of Dr. & Mrs. Philip C. Holland; Dr. & Mrs. George Frank Holland; Dr. & Mrs. Philip T. Holland, and Mr. and Mrs. Martin M. Hugg).

Johann Mommard (Flemish, active 1590–1627), after Dürer. Expulsion from the Garden, 1587. Woodcut on paper. Image/sheet: 6 3/4 × 5 1/8 in. (17.1 × 13 cm). Gift of Mrs. Julia King and Mr. Jasper King, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 82.39.3.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Christ on the Mount of Olives, Plate 2 from Engraved Passion, 1508, published 1513. Image: 4 9/16 x 2 13/16 in. (11.6 x 7.2 cm), sheet: 5 1/16 x 3 5/16 in. (12.9 x 8.4 cm). Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Myers, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 83.24B.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Christ Carrying the Cross, Plate 10 from Engraved Passion, 1512, published 1513. Image: 4 9/16 x 2 15/16 in. (11.6 x 7.5 cm), sheet: 5 1/8 x 3 7/16 in. (13 x 8.7 cm). Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Myers, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 83.24J.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Nemesis (The Great Fortune), ca. 1501. Engraving on paper. Image/sheet: 13 × 9 1/16 in. (33 × 23 cm). Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 75.60.6.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Adam and Eve, 1504. Engraving on paper. Image/sheet: 9 3/4 x 7 9/16 in. (24.8 x 19.2 cm). William H. Conroy Memorial, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 71.27.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). The Small Horse, 1505. Engraving on paper. Image/sheet: 6 7/16 × 4 3/16 in. (16.4 × 10.6 cm). William H. Conroy Memorial, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 72.127.2.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Example of a spiral form, Folio A5r from Unterweisung der Messung (Instruction in Measurement), 1525 (Collection of George A. Poole, Jr., Lilly Library).

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Man drawing a lute, Folio Q3r from Unterweisung der Messung (Instruction in Measurement), 1525 (Collection of George A. Poole, Jr., Lilly Library).

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Knight, Death, and the Devil, 1513. Engraving on paper. Image: 9 3/8 x 7 5/16 in. (23.8 x 18.6 cm), sheet: 10 x 7 1/2 in. (25.4 x 19.1 cm). Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 76.107.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Jerome in His Study, 1514. Engraving on paper. Image/sheet: 9 9/16 × 7 5/16 in. (24.3 × 18.6 cm). Museum purchase in Honor of Diether Thimme, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 78.13.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Melencolia I, 1514. Engraving on paper. Image: 9 3/8 x 7 3/8 in. (23.8 x 18.7 cm), plate: 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. (24.1 x 19.1 cm), sheet: 9 15/16 x 7 7/8 in. (25.2 x 20 cm). William H. Conroy Memorial, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 73.37.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Jerome in His Cell, 1511. Woodcut on paper. Image: 9 1/4 x 6 3/16 in. (23.5 x 15.7 cm), sheet: 9 7/16 x 6 7/16 in. (24 x 16.4 cm). William H. Conroy Memorial, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 73.25.2.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Martyrdom of Saint John, Plate 1 from Apocalipsis cum figuris (Apocalypse), ca. 1496-97, published 1498 (Collection of George A. Poole, Jr., Lilly Library).

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Saint Paul, 1514. Engraving on paper. Image/sheet: 4 11/16 × 3 in. (11.9 × 7.6 cm). Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 77.21.2.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Saint Anthony Reading, 1519. Engraving on paper. Image/sheet: 3 7/8 x 5 9/16 in. (9.8 x 14.1 cm). William H. Conroy Memorial, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 72.127.3.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). Landscape with Cannon, 1518. Etching (iron) on paper. Image: 8 9/16 × 12 11/16 in. (21.7 × 32.2 cm), sheet: 8 5/8 × 12 9/16 in. (21.9 × 31.9 cm). Former Fine Arts Collection, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 80.70.1.

Hieronymus Hopfer (German, active 1520–30), after Dürer. The Cannon, 1530. Etching (copper) on paper. Image: 7 9/16 × 11 in. (19.2 × 27.9 cm), sheet: 8 1/4 x 11 3/4 in. (21 x 29.8 cm). Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 76.144.20.

Albrecht Dürer (German, May 21, 1471-April 6, 1528). The Circumcision, Plate 11 from Life of the Virgin, ca. 1504. Image: 11 11/16 x 8 5/16 in. (29.7 x 21.1 cm),sheet: 13 1/8 x 9 3/8 in. (33.3 x 23.8 cm). Former Fine Arts Collection, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 63.197.

Hendrick Goltzius (Dutch, 1558–1617), in the manner of Dürer. The Circumcision, Plate 4 from Life of the Virgin, 1594, published 1593–94. Engraving on paper. Image: 18 1/4 × 13 13/16 in. (46.4 × 35.1 cm), plate: 18 3/4 × 13 15/16 in. (47.6 × 35.4 cm), sheet: 20 3/4 × 15 5/8 in. (52.7 × 39.7 cm). Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 72.131.4.