The Museum Gazette 



Nuremberg at this time was a flourishing city, the seat 

 of a settled and patriotic government, favoured by the 

 Emperors, and enjoying much commerce ; it was on the route 

 between Central Europe and the East through Venice. The 

 name Diirer was probably in the original Thiirer, a maker 

 of doors. Diirer's father was, however, a goldsmith. Diirer 

 himself was the second of eighteen children. Diirer regarded 

 both his parents with the tenderest reverence and affection, 

 and has left a touching narrative of the deathbed of each. 

 Diirer was his father's favourite son, and was very industrious 

 in youth. 



It is to be noted that although born in Nuremberg, Diirer 

 was not by descent, at any rate on one side, a German. His 

 father was a Hungarian who had wandered into Germany. 



By the expression " painter," as applied to Diirer's master, 

 we must understand one who produced in great numbers and 

 for business purposes devotional pieces for the decoration of 

 churches and of private houses. Wohlgemuth also executed 

 woodcuts. 



Diirer was remarkable for his manly beauty, and it is 

 supposed that his marriage was arranged between his father 

 and the father of his bride during his absence on his travels, 

 he having sent home this portrait of himself. 



Agnes Frey, Diirer's wife, survived her husband. They 

 had no children. 



Diirer's death occurred very suddenly; so much so that 

 none of his friends could be called to his bedside ; it was in 

 the night of April 16, 1528. His health had been failing for 

 some time previously, in consequence of a fever contracted 

 during his visit to Holland. He had visited Holland in order 

 to be present at the coronation of the Emperor Charles V., 

 wishing also to obtain patronage and certain privileges from 

 the Regent, Margaret. 



Diirer enjoyed the friendship of many of his celebrated 

 contemporaries. Amongst them were Luther, Erasmus and 

 Emperor Maximilian. He had adopted the Reformed faith. 



