Η Αποκαθήλωση

1505

Second journey to Italy

Dürer set off for Italy again — perhaps not only to earn money but also to stop Marcantonio Raimondi from copying his prints. His stay in Venice is known from ten surviving letters to Pirckheimer.

1505–1507

Paints the “Feast of the Rosary”

Commissioned by German merchants, Dürer painted the Feast of the Rosary altarpiece for the church of San Bartolomeo by the Fondaco dei Tedeschi. In his own words, it made those who thought him merely a successful engraver acknowledge him as a true painter; the Venetian council offered him 200 ducats a year to stay.

1505–1507

Friendship with Giovanni Bellini

Dürer considered Giovanni Bellini “the best in painting”, the only Venetian master with whom he became friends. The Madonna of the Siskin may have been painted at Bellini's request.

1505–1507

To Bologna for the secrets of perspective

Dürer travelled to the university city of Bologna, hoping to learn the secrets of geometric perspective from its scholars. He then meant to visit Mantegna in Padua but received news of his death, which he greatly regretted afterwards.

1505–1507 · Workplace

Venice

c. 1508

Draws the “Praying Hands”

The most famous of Dürer's many preparatory drawings, the Praying Hands, a study for an apostle in the altarpiece commissioned by Jakob Heller.