Includes bibliographical references (pages 313-325) and index.

"Albrecht Durer witnessed and represented some of the most momentous events in early modern European history - the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation and, prior to that, the innovations, both religious and cultural, of the Renaissance humanist movement. In addition to a fresh evaluation of the career of the most significant artist in German cultural history, this book presents a history of the religious reforms taking root in the early northern Renaissance, especially among the intellectual avant-garde. In general, Durer conceptualized Martin Luther's movement as part of the larger matrix of theological and religious reforms grounded in the humanist study of early Christianity. Because Durer was the first northern artist to attempt to alter the style of medieval religious devotions to reflect the new concerns of the Renaissance, he gave visual form to some of the most significant changes in Christian culture."--Jacket.