"Alberti Dvreri pictoris et architecti praestantissimi De vrbibvs..."

"Alberti Dvreri pictoris et architecti praestantissimi De vrbibvs..." by Albrecht Dürer is a foundational illustrated book published in Paris, France, in 1535. This volume appeared posthumously, reflecting the enduring and rapidly spreading influence of the great German Renaissance artist and theorist, who had died in 1528. This French edition is a significant cultural marker, demonstrating how Dürer’s specialized theoretical treatises were disseminated and translated across Europe to engage foreign audiences and scholars.

The content focuses primarily on Dürer’s extensive studies in geometry and fortification, topics he championed alongside his printmaking and painting. The book presents detailed diagrams and illustrations related to city planning, architectural theory, and the construction of effective defensive works, reflecting the period’s intense focus on applied science and military engineering. Dürer’s methodical approach to perspective and measurement, previously outlined in works like Underweysung der Messung, forms the intellectual backbone of this treatise on cities.

The physical volume resides in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Its existence underscores the importance of the French printing industry in circulating Renaissance ideas during the 16th century. Though the original illustrated book is fragile and rare, the influential concepts and designs developed by Dürer are often reflected in architectural prints that are widely available today. The theoretical principles contained within this work are considered crucial historical documents and, where applicable, the artistic material derived from them often resides in the public domain, ensuring Dürer’s legacy as a brilliant architect and theoretician remains accessible.