Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg (The Great Cardinal)

Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg (The Great Cardinal) by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528, is a powerful and highly detailed print created in 1523. This masterful engraving, executed in black ink on ivory laid paper, captures one of the most significant and controversial figures of the early German Reformation.

Cardinal Albrecht (1490-1545) served as the Archbishop of Mainz and Magdeburg, whose excessive promotion of indulgences spurred Martin Luther’s famous ninety-five theses. Dürer’s treatment avoids idealized flattery, instead presenting the prelate in heavy official robes, emphasizing his earthly power and intellectual depth. The work is marked by a Latin inscription detailing Albrecht's titles and age, and features his imposing coat of arms positioned prominently at the bottom, underscoring his dynastic and ecclesiastical authority.

The intensity of Dürer’s line work and the precise cross-hatching define the texture of the Cardinal's fur and vestments, showcasing the artist’s unparalleled skill in the demanding medium of engraving. As one of the pivotal works from the later career of 1471-1528, this Print exemplifies the technical and intellectual achievements of Northern European art in Germany. The work also reflects the period's cultural tensions, balancing the Cardinal’s high status with the rigid formality characteristic of Dürer’s late portraiture.

Now classified as a Print, the original resides in the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The historical importance of the subject and the artistic quality of the work ensures that high-quality Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg prints are widely accessible through public domain collections, facilitating continued study of the German Renaissance master.