Albrecht Durer

Albrecht Durer was a German artist of the Renaissance period who produced many various works of art. His travels to further his skills led to his adoption of Southern European styles, specifically those invented in Italy. Many of the Italianate characteristics that he learned are represented in his art. A good example of this is his oil painting The Suicide of Lucretia. Elements and techniques of Italian Renaissance Art appear in this painting.

First off, there is immediately a theme of humanism in that it depicts the character Lucretia in the nude. This reflects on the beauty of the human figure as well as the Italian influences that Durer picked up, since humanism is a southern-born theme celebrating human achievement. Lucretia is, like the title says, committing suicide with a sort of dagger or short pointed sword. The sword is held in her right hand as she stabs herself in the abdominal area under her right breast, and the pain can almost be felt vicariously through the emotion captured in her face and the eerie scene being portrayed. As her eyes look upward, as if avoiding seeing the result of her actions, the muscles of her brow ruffle in agony. Even the curling of the toes on her left foot gives a sense of pain when connected with the intense content. There is more of a contribution to the anatomy than in most Northern art, given that many of the big name High Italian Renaissance artists studied the human body and sciences. Her skin glows with a warmth, and as it folds over on itself on her left side, it appears soft and (reinforced by the sword) pierce able.
            Durer has also shown this figure in the contrapposto stance, meaning that she has one weight bearing leg. This is another Italian idea supported by humanism. It is a natural stance in nature, and therefore, it is a bit of our reality that can contribute to the realism of the painting as well.
            Even though in some aspects, Lucretia looks out of proportion (such as her head being too small, or body slightly elongated), there is attention being paid to minute details: a miniscule amount of blood as she begins to stab herself, the curls in her hair as she tilts her head back, and the muscles underneath her skin—also folding and wrinkling in a natural way. These can all be connected to paintings of Northern Renaissance Art in how there is an interest in texture and fine details.