Erasmus of Rotterdam

Erasmus of Rotterdam by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528, is a highly celebrated copperplate engraving created in 1526. The print depicts the renowned Dutch Renaissance humanist and theologian, Desiderius Erasmus, who was a towering intellectual figure of the early 16th century. This work is distinguished by its meticulous detail and technical precision, hallmarks of Dürer's late graphic style. The artist, known as the preeminent Northern Renaissance draftsman, struggled for years to capture the scholar’s elusive character, famously noting that Erasmus was difficult to render convincingly. The medium, an engraving executed in black on ivory laid paper, emphasizes the textural qualities of the subject's fur trim, the scattered desk objects, and the scholar’s characteristic introspective gaze.

Created late in the German artist’s career, this sophisticated portrait serves as a visual document of the intellectual fervor characterizing 16th-century central Europe and the broader Reformation era. The sitter is shown standing at a writing desk, surrounded by books and inkwells, symbolizing his tireless devotion to scholarship and critical learning. The composition is rich with iconography relevant to humanist thought and classical references. Despite the difficulties Dürer faced in the execution, the finished Erasmus of Rotterdam became one of the most widely reproduced prints of its time, cementing the visual identity of the great scholar for posterity. This exceptional impression of the 1526 print is held in the extensive collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it showcases the enduring mastery of Dürer's graphic output. As a historically significant work, it falls within the realm of important public domain art accessible for study and reference worldwide.