Elector Frederick the Wise of Saxony

Elector Frederick the Wise of Saxony by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528 is a masterful engraving created in 1524. Executed in black on fine ivory laid paper, this print exemplifies the height of Northern Renaissance portraiture. The meticulous technique demonstrates Dürer’s profound skill as a printmaker, utilizing the burin to achieve textures and tonal ranges comparable to painting.

The subject, Frederick III of Saxony, known historically as Frederick the Wise, was a critical political and religious figure in early modern Germany. As the powerful Elector, he was instrumental in initiating defining shifts during the Reformation era, most notably by offering crucial protection to Martin Luther. While Dürer had served as court artist to Emperor Maximilian I, he also documented influential patrons and leaders like Frederick, ensuring their images circulated widely through multiple impressions of his finely detailed prints.

Dürer’s mature work is consistently characterized by technical precision and psychological depth. This piece captures the Elector's dignity and intellectual seriousness, conveyed through the artist’s use of precise, controlled lines to render the fabric textures and facial contours. Such detailed German prints were highly sought after by collectors throughout Europe during the 16th century. Today, this important impression of the Elector is preserved in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it remains a key example of the artistic achievements of the German Renaissance.