Priya Kapoor
The Wing of a European Roller (also known as the Wing of a Blue Roller) is a nature study watercolour by German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. The painting, which is a close-up of the underside of a left wing, was painted in either 1500 or 1512 from a dead specimen. It measures 19.6 x 20 centimetres and is part of the collection at the Albertina Museum in Vienna, Austria.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Albrecht Dürer |
| Year | 1500 or 1512 |
| Medium | Watercolour and gouache on vellum |
| Dimensions | 19.6 x 20 cm or 20 x 20 cm |
| Subject | Upper side of the left wing of a roller bird |
| Collection | Albertina, Vienna, Austria |
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What You'll Learn
The artist, Albrecht Dürer
Dürer was a graphic artist who worked with various mediums, including watercolour, gouache, woodcuts, engravings, etchings, and drypoints. He was also an early adopter of technical reproducibility, reusing wood engraving blocks and copper plates to obtain high print runs of his work. This innovative approach to the production and distribution of his art made him a pioneer in the German art world.
Dürer's "Wing of a European Roller" (also known as "Wing of a Blue Roller") is a watercolour nature study painted in 1512. The painting depicts the upper side of the left wing of a roller bird, a migratory species found in Southern and Central Europe. Dürer's attention to detail and accuracy in capturing the bird's features is evident in the way he portrays the overlapping feathers and the variation in their colour and texture as they get closer to the bone.
The painting measures 19.6 x 20 centimeters and is part of the collection at the Albertina Museum in Vienna, Austria. Dürer's work on this piece reflects his belief in death as a natural part of life's cycle, portrayed without morbidity or sentimentality. "Wing of a European Roller" is a testament to Dürer's artistic skill and his dedication to depicting the beauty in mundane subjects, showcasing his ability to bring his subjects to life through his art.
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The year it was painted
The "Wing of a European Roller", also known as "Wing of a Blue Roller", was painted by German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer in either 1500 or 1512. Dürer was a prolific and versatile artist, with a body of work that includes around 60 paintings, over a thousand drawings and watercolours, 250 woodcuts, 96 engravings, 6 etchings, and 3 drypoints.
Dürer's "Wing of a European Roller" is a watercolour nature study of a dead bird specimen, measuring 19.6 x 20 centimeters. The painting depicts the upper side of the left wing of a roller bird, a migratory species found in Southern and Central Europe, with vivid detail and colour. Dürer's artistic mastery is evident in the way he captures the fine details of the wing, such as the overlapping of shorter feathers over longer ones and the variation in feather colour and texture as they get closer to the bone.
The painting is currently held in the collection of the Albertina Museum in Vienna, Austria, alongside other works by Dürer. In 2013, "Wing of a European Roller" was loaned to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, along with other pieces by the artist.
While the exact date of completion for "Wing of a European Roller" is not known, it is speculated that the painting may have been created in preparation for Dürer's 1502 engraving entitled "Nemesis". This theory is based on the painting's polished finish and incredible detail, suggesting that it was more than just a study piece.
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The painting's location
The painting "Wing of a European Roller" by Albrecht Dürer is housed in the Albertina Museum in Vienna, Austria. Dürer was a prolific German Renaissance artist, and the Albertina Museum holds a collection of his works.
The Albertina is one of the largest and most significant art museums in the world and is located in the centre of Vienna, close to the State Opera House and the Musikverein. The museum is situated in the historic Albertina Palace, which was originally built as a residence for the Habsburg monarchy. The palace was constructed between 1742 and 1745 and was designed by the architect Emanuel Teles Count Silva-Tarouca. The building was named after Duke Albert of Saxe-Teschen, who lived there from 1795 to 1822 and established the museum's renowned art collection.
The Albertina Museum's collection includes works from renowned artists such as Monet, Renoir, and Picasso. However, the museum is particularly well-known for its extensive collection of old master prints and drawings, which includes Dürer's "Wing of a European Roller." This collection features works from the 15th century to the present day and is considered one of the most valuable and significant in the world.
The "Wing of a European Roller" watercolour is a detailed study of the upper side of the left wing of a roller bird, painted from a dead specimen. The painting measures 19.6 by 20 centimetres and is signed by Dürer. The work is not only a testament to Dürer's artistic skill but also reflects his belief in death as a natural part of life's cycle.
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Dürer's artistic style
The German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer painted "Wing of a European Roller" (also known as "Wing of a Blue Roller") in 1512, although one source suggests it may have been as early as 1500. Dürer was known for his naturalistic drawings and watercolours of deceased birds, which he painted in a respectful way that highlighted their beauty.
Another art movement that emerged around the time of Dürer's work was Constructivist art, which became popular in Russia during the lead-up to the Russian Revolution. Constructivism is an abstract style that was often used for propaganda purposes, and its artists include Vladimir Tatlin, Alexander Rodchenko, and El Lissitzky. Dürer's work also predates several significant art movements, including Abstract Expressionism, which arose in 20th-century America, and was characterised by large painted canvases and sculptures that emphasised dynamic brushstrokes and the effects of dripping and spilling paint.
Finally, Dürer's artistic style can be understood in relation to the development of art movements that built upon and reacted against his work. For example, the Bauhaus movement, founded in Germany in 1919, focused on combining pleasing aesthetics with consumer utility, reflecting a shift towards exploring the role of modern art and design in society. Similarly, the Dadaist movement, which emerged in Zurich, Switzerland, and New York City in the early 20th century, rejected social uniformity and promoted surrealist elements, as seen in the works of artists such as Marcel Duchamp, Tristan Tzara, and Hans Arp.
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The bird depicted in the painting
Dürer's painting showcases his artistic skills and dedication to depicting mundane subjects such as plants and animals through his art. The fine detail in the painting allows viewers to see how the shorter feathers overlap the longer ones, and how the green feathers become more numerous and fluffy towards the bone. The brownish feathers near the breast hang down, forming tufts.
Albrecht Dürer was a prolific and versatile German artist from the Renaissance period. He was a graphic artist who experimented with various genres, including landscape painting and engraving. Dürer was also the first German artist to achieve new venues for the production and distribution of his works, taking advantage of the technical reproducibility methods available at the time.
Dürer's painting, "The Wing of a European Roller", is a testament to his mastery over naturalistic drawings. The work is signed by the artist, suggesting that he saw it as more than just a study work for a later painting. The painting is currently held in the collection at the Albertina Museum in Vienna, Austria, where it serves as an example of Dürer's artistic skill and attention to detail.
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Frequently asked questions
The painting "Wing of a European Roller" was painted in 1512 by Albrecht Dürer.
The painting was painted by Albrecht Dürer, a renowned artist from the German Renaissance period.
The original painting is held in the collection at the Albertina Museum in Vienna, Austria.
