Die Himmelfahrt

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

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 · Workplace

Venice

1507

Leaving Venice: “Here I am a gentleman”

Dürer left Italy, apparently reluctantly: in one of his last letters to Pirckheimer he remarked, “Here I am a gentleman, while at home I am only a parasite.”

1507–1528 · Workplace

Nuremberg

1511

Publishes the Great Passion and the Life of the Virgin

Dürer published two woodcut series as books, the Great Passion and the Life of the Virgin, with a second edition of the Apocalypse and the 37 woodcuts of the Little Passion. His post-Venetian woodcuts developed chiaroscuro modelling.