XIV. Albert Durer.
Born at Norimbergh, in the year 1470. was both an extra∣ordinary Painter and Graver: In the Emperor's Palace at Prague, is to be seen a Christ carrying his Cross, painted by him with much delicacy, which the Town of Norimbergh presented to the Emperor; also the Adoration of the Three Kings; Two Pieces of the Passion; in one of which is himself painted with a Roll in his hand, with this Inscription; Albertus Durerus Noricus faciebat Anno de Viriginis partu 1511. There is also a most ravishing piece of his, of Adam and Eve; upon which an Ingenious Poet made this Witty Descant;
Angelus hos cernens, miratus dix it; ab horto Non ita formosos, vos ego depuleram.At Franckfort there is an Assumption of his in a Monastery, whose extraordinary beauty brings in a good Revenue to the Religious of that Convent by the great Liberalities of people that come to see it; altho he painted much, yet his chief Em∣ployment was in Graving or Cutting Figures in Wood. Nei∣ther was he less renowned for some Books which he has pub∣lished, then for his graving or painting. Posterity will alwaies be oblidged to him for his Book of the proportion of Bodies. His Rules of Artichecture and of military Discipline is esteemed worthy the curiosity of Princes and Generals of Armies, He was of that courteous and affable temper that gained him the love and esteeme of all that knew him: the Emperors Maximilian the first and Charles the fifth especially signalized their affecti∣on to him by many favors. Maximilian one time ordered him to draw some great design in his presence, upon a Wall, which being above his reach, and there appearing nothing ready at hand to stand upon, the Emperor commanded one of his Attendants, to lye down upon the ground that Albert might stand upon his back, till he had finished the outlines of his design, and left this person should think himself too much undervalued to serve as a footstool to a Painter, the Empe∣ror in token how much he valued both the Art and the Ar∣tist, conferred on him a large degree of honor, and imediate∣ly made him noble and gave him for a Coat of Arms. 3 silver Escutcheons in a field of azure. He died in the year 1628 and was buried at Norimbergh.