Works included in this catalogue
Dürer Knight, Death and the Devil 1513 {1891} NGV [PR]
Dürer Melencolia I 1514 {1891} NGV [PR]
Dürer St Jerome in his Study 1514 {1891} NGV [PR]
The pre-Felton impressions of Dürer’s three “master engravings” of 1513-14 were selected in 1891 by Hubert von Herkomer from Seymour Haden’s collection, and purchased for substantial sums (for the time) ranging from £50-£115. Good impressions of the engravings listed above now fetch substantial sums at auction.
While now regarded as inferior in quality to the superb group of Dürer prints acquired in 1956 from the collection of Sir Thomas Barlow (through the Felton Bequest), these impressions formed a significant resource for pre-Felton NGV visitors, who could also consult facsimiles of Dürer’s woodcuts held in the collection: for details, see under Reproductions and copies.
See also Unknown (German 19C) Two Passion reliefs {1862} NGV [SC], said to be after Dürer.
Refs.
The key modern reference for the NGV’s extensive holdings of Dürer’s prints is Zdanowicz Dürer (1994). The general literature on the artist is voluminous. Bénézit 4, pp.1410-16 lists selected auction results, e.g. GB £120,000 for a St Jerome auctioned in London in 2002. Refer individual entries for further references