A 500-year-old German Renaissance engraving by a colossus of 15th century art – found at a rubbish dump by an 11-year-old boy – could make tens of thousands of pounds at auction.
The museum-worthy engraving, almost lost forever in landfill, has been identified as a work by Albrecht Dürer, a painter and printmaker regarded as one of the most gifted artists of all time. Born in 1471 in Nuremberg, Germany, when the city was part of the Holy Roman Empire, Dürer became one of the most important figures of the Northern Renaissance. He knew renowned Italian artists including Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci and created works for Emperor Maximilian I, King of the Romans from 1486-1519.
However, but for eagle-eyed Mat Winter the valuable artwork, titled Knight, Death and the Devil, would have been tossed into a skip. Completed in 1513, it is one of Dürer’s most famous and influential works. Such is its importance its discovery left antiques expert Jim Spencer shaking. It is being offered at Rare Book Auctions, Lichfield, Staffordshire, on September 18, guided at £10,000-£20,000 but could achieve much more.
Mat, 24, from Cranbrook, Kent, said: “I’ve had an eye for antiques since I was 10 years old. I used to go to the local rubbish tip to see what I could find. I discovered some great stuff. One day a lady had some rubbish in her car including the print. I thought it looked interesting and asked if I could have it. She was more then happy to give it to me because she wanted it to go to someone rather than just throwing it away. I was 11 at the time and very happy she let me take it.
“It’s been tucked away in a cupboard at home with all my other antique finds for the last 13 years. Recently, I decided to get it checked out to see if it was as special as it looked. I was amazed to find out it was.”
Jim Spencer, Director of Rare Book Auctions, said: “I’ve seen countless prints copying Dürer, from a much later period or produced by a different means, but I’d only ever seen the real thing in museums – until now.
“The owner sent it to me for appraisal. I didn’t have high expectations when he described how he’d rescued it from someone’s car boot at his local rubbish dump around 10 years ago.
“I opened the package, removed the bubble wrap and staggered back in awe. My hands were shaking as I held it up to the light. The laid paper was absolutely right for the period. The quality of the engraving was exceptional beyond words. I knew that only one person could’ve produced something like this – it had to be the hand of Dürer himself.
“I shouted over to my brother – and colleague – Matty. He came over and agreed with me instantly, it was simply too good to have been engraved by anyone else. We spoke with the British Museum, booked our train tickets to London, and took it there.
“It was the school holidays, so the British Museum was packed with tourists. We could barely move inside. It was one of the greatest privileges of my life to be granted access to the solitude of the Prints & Drawings Study Room where other Dürer engravings in the museum’s collections were carefully laid out for me and Matty to see.
“A research fellow from the United States assisted us with viewing the engravings and comparing their examples with ours. With a magnifying glass, we were able to check that every minuscule line matched perfectly. It confirmed what we had thought and hoped. This was indeed the real deal.
“The research fellow shared a number of academic journals discussing the engraving, Knight, Death and the Devil. One of the most important points related to an incredibly faint scratch across the head of the knight’s steed, which would’ve been accidentally swiped across the surface of the copper plate prior to printing, and would’ve been almost imperceptible. I checked our example and the scratch was present. It disappears on later printings, so this sealed it. It was period and authentic.
“It’s the most important print I’ve ever catalogued and offered for sale. It was pasted down on a mount, probably around 1900, which will affect the value, but it’s a really nice impression with great clarity and contrasts, which is a massive bonus. In excellent, unmounted condition, this is a print that can command sums close to £200,000.
“We’re guiding conservatively, but broadly, at £10,000 to £20,000 in order to encourage people to look beyond the mounting and appreciate its overall condition, which is remarkably good considering its age and delicate nature. This guide price should bring everybody to the party, so to speak, and it could easily spark a determined bidding battle. I hope the market recognises its importance and rarity and bids accordingly. I’d love to see it race away for much, much more.”
Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) is considered one of the most technically gifted artists of all time. One of the most important figures of the Northern Renaissance, his work is distinct from his Southern European counterparts in its Gothic style. Copper-plate engraving became his preferred medium, and his skill with a burin – an engraving tool – is awe-inspiring. He established his reputation across Europe in his 20s due to his high-quality woodcut prints. His work includes engravings, prints, altarpieces, portrait, self-portraits, watercolours and books. Well-known engravings include three Meisterstiche (master prints) Knight, Death and the Devil (1513), Saint Jerome in his Study (1514), and Melencolia I (1514). His watercolours mark him as one of the first European landscape artists. Dürer’s introduction of classical motifs and the nude into Northern art, through his knowledge of Italian artists and German humanists, secured his reputation as one of the most important figures of the Northern Renaissance. This is reinforced by his theoretical treatises, which involve principles of mathematics for linear perspective and body proportions.
Auction: Knight, Death and the Devil, by Albrecht Dürer, [1513], Lot 1, is being offered in Rare Book Auctions’ inaugural sale. The timed online auction launched on September 5, 2024 and ends at 6pm on September 18, 2024. Catalogue/bidding: www.the-saleroom.com
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Rare Book Auctions
Entries are invited for monthly sales at Rare Book Auctions, Lichfield, Staffordshire. Antiquarian books, rare first editions, maps, prints and works on paper are invited for evaluation. For free, no-obligation advice, contact Jim Spencer: [email protected]
