Albrecht Dürer Lot n° 178

Albrecht Dürer (1471 - Nuremberg - 1528) - The Temptation of the Idle Man (The Doctor's Dream) Copper engraving on laid paper with watermark "Hohe Krone" (Meder watermark 20). (c. 1498). 19.1 x 12.4 cm (sheet size). Bartsch 76; Meder 70 a (from f); Schoch/Mende/Scherbaum 18 a (from f). Splendid, strong, concise and pure early impression before the scratch from the monogram to the foot as well as through the sphere to the bench. Trimmed on or just outside the platemark. The Doctor's Dream is one of Dürer's most amusing and fascinating engravings. Despite the vague traditional title, the subject of this sheet was well known in its day. Giorgio Vasari knew the engraving and gave a precise description. A devilish demon blows unchaste dreams into the ear of the apparently wealthy loafer sitting by the stove with a bellows. In the vernacular, the hot place behind the stove is also known as the "bank of hell", and not without good reason. In the hot dream, a naked female figure with long flowing hair in an antique contraposto appears to the corpulent man; it is easy to recognize Venus in the seductive figure. Albrecht Dürer's approach to the subject is rather light-hearted and few of his figures are as charming as the little winged putto playing with his ball and trying to balance precariously on stilts. There is undoubtedly a moral lesson and a warning: laziness leads to graver sins, to lust and wantonness, and earthly love is fickle. - Tiny brown stains, slightly darkened at the upper and lower edge. Verso with remnants of former mounting, otherwise in very good condition. Rarely so beautiful! Exhibition: Go for it! Olbricht Collection (a sequel). Wunderkammer objects, Weserburg. Museum of Modern Art, Berlin, 2008/2009. Lust for Life & Dance of Death. Kunstmeile Krems Betriebs GmbH, Kunsthalle Krems, 2010. Rockers Island. Museum Folkwang, Essen, 2007 Provenance: Robert Balmanno (1780-1861), London, dated "1820" on verso and with handwritten collector's note (Lugt 213); Sotheby's, London, May 4-12, 1830; Colnaghi, London; Christie's, London, December 5, 2006, lot 36; Private collection, Germany. Taxation: differential taxation (VAT: Margin Scheme)ne ony lots.