DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.52770#0028
D U R E R
Berlin 120-118x127
8. THE MONSTROUS PIG
B .95 O.5 H.1019 R. 19 M.n K.ti -F.(s) Bw.6 Engraving
Plate irregular ; its height is greatest on the left side.
Signature : monogram on ground in centre near foot of plate.
Date: 1496.
Watermarks : ‘ bull’s head ’ (Ha.i) ; ‘ high crown ’ (Ha.4). Early impression shew
scratches, which wear off later.
The animal represented was born on March 1, 1496, at Landser in Sundgau (Alsace),
a village with a castle in which the Austrian governor resided. The hog is repre-
sented, in a different attitude, with a view of Landser, slight but topographically
correct, on a broadside with verses by Sebastian Brant printed at Basel by Bergmann
von Olpe both in German and Latin (Schreiber 3578-79). A Basel artist must have
been sent to Landser, where the animal lived only one day. Perhaps a different
drawing served Diirer for his version. He represents the same castle, but less
correctly, as regards its surroundings, than the Basel woodcutter. See E. Major,
in Monatsheftefur Kunstwissenschaft, 1913, vi 32). The birth made some stir in
an age so much excited by prodigies. It is mentioned among the events of 1496
in a MS. note by Conrad Peutinger in his copy of the edition of Scriptores Historiae
Augustae, printed at Venice 1489 by Bern. Rizus Novariensis, which is now in the
British Museum (IB.22631).
10
Berlin 120-118x127
8. THE MONSTROUS PIG
B .95 O.5 H.1019 R. 19 M.n K.ti -F.(s) Bw.6 Engraving
Plate irregular ; its height is greatest on the left side.
Signature : monogram on ground in centre near foot of plate.
Date: 1496.
Watermarks : ‘ bull’s head ’ (Ha.i) ; ‘ high crown ’ (Ha.4). Early impression shew
scratches, which wear off later.
The animal represented was born on March 1, 1496, at Landser in Sundgau (Alsace),
a village with a castle in which the Austrian governor resided. The hog is repre-
sented, in a different attitude, with a view of Landser, slight but topographically
correct, on a broadside with verses by Sebastian Brant printed at Basel by Bergmann
von Olpe both in German and Latin (Schreiber 3578-79). A Basel artist must have
been sent to Landser, where the animal lived only one day. Perhaps a different
drawing served Diirer for his version. He represents the same castle, but less
correctly, as regards its surroundings, than the Basel woodcutter. See E. Major,
in Monatsheftefur Kunstwissenschaft, 1913, vi 32). The birth made some stir in
an age so much excited by prodigies. It is mentioned among the events of 1496
in a MS. note by Conrad Peutinger in his copy of the edition of Scriptores Historiae
Augustae, printed at Venice 1489 by Bern. Rizus Novariensis, which is now in the
British Museum (IB.22631).
10