Who painted Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony?

Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1524.

Where can I see Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony?

Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony?

Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony?

Museum-quality prints of Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony

Albrecht Dürer , 1524

Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1524 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:in plate, center right: AD [artist's monogram]; in plate, bottom, Latin inscription: CHRISTO. SACRVM. / ILLE. CEI VERBO. MAGNA PIETATE. FAVEBAT. / PERPETVA. DIGNVS. POSTERITATE. COLI. / D[OMINO]. FRID[E]R[ICO]. DVCI. SAXON[IAE]. S[ACRI]. R[OMANI]. IMP[ERII]. / ARCHIM[ARESCHALLO]. ELECTORI. / ALBERTVS DVRER. NVR[EMBERGENSIS]. FACIEBAT. / B[ENE]. M[ERENTI]. F[ECIT]. V[IVVS]. V[ICO]. / M. D. XXIIII. [Sacred to Christ. He favoured the word of God with great piety, worthy to be revered by posterity forever. Albrecht Dürer made this for Duke Frederick of Saxony, Arch-Marshal, Elector of the Holy Roman Empire; B[ene] M[erenti] F[ecit] V[ivus] V[ivo] MDXXIIII]; verso, lower center, in graphite by a later hand: B.104; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: C.15382; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: J.3117; verso, bottom center, in graphite by a later hand: D1 [?] [erased]; verso, bottom left, in graphite by a later hand: K6520; verso, bottom right, in graphite by a later hand: 19 [upside down]
Markings: Marked:verso, bottom left, stamp in black: AD in cartouche, Lugt 103 (Alexander Danz b. 1880, Leipzig)

About this work

Next, check out how engraving works to see how artists like Dürer made these sharp lines.

This is a black-and-white portrait of an older man with a thick white beard and hat. His face is detailed, with deep lines around his eyes and mouth. The background is plain, but his collar and cuffs show some texture.

The text below his face names him as Frederick the Wise, a leader in Saxony. The artist signed it in 1524, and the style looks like it’s from the Renaissance.

Next, check out how engraving works to see how artists like Dürer made these sharp lines.

Overview

This engraving on laid paper, created by Albrecht Dürer in 1524, is a portrait of a prominent historical figure. The work is held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony, identified by the text below his image. The detailed rendering of his face, with deep lines around his eyes and mouth, conveys a sense of age and character.

Technique & Style

The engraving technique used by Dürer allowed for the creation of sharp lines and detailed textures, evident in the subject's collar, cuffs, and facial features. The style is characteristic of the Renaissance period.