Ex libris Willibald Pirckheimer

The print Ex libris Willibald Pirckheimer by Albrecht Dürer, created between 1500 and 1504, serves as a powerful artifact of the German Renaissance, documenting the intellectual bonds between the artist and his lifelong friend, the renowned humanist and scholar Willibald Pirckheimer. This work is an early and highly refined example of a personalized bookplate (ex libris), designed specifically to mark ownership of Pirckheimer’s extensive library. Executed as a detailed print on paper, the work showcases Dürer’s command of line and composition, characteristic of his pivotal role in Northern European printmaking.

The design of the bookplate incorporates complex heraldic elements, including Pirckheimer’s coat of arms, flanked by classical figures, which symbolize his deep engagement with classical literature and philosophy. The integration of high art techniques into a practical object like a bookplate highlights the elevated status of the arts and learning among the elite of Germany during this period.

Dürer’s careful balancing of text, symbolic imagery, and decorative elements transformed the standard ex libris from a simple label into a collectible work of graphic art. As a key piece illustrating the patronage networks of the era, the work is preserved within the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Given its historical importance and the cultural prominence of its creators, high-quality prints of this early German masterwork are frequently available in the public domain, ensuring continued study and appreciation of Dürer’s extensive graphic output.