Explore Stag Beetle

Read About This Drawing by Albrecht Dürer

It is indeed true that art is omnipresent in nature, and the true artist is he who can bring it out.Albrecht Dürer

Stag Beetle is one of Albrecht Dürer’s most famous nature drawings, and many artists have copied it over the years. Making a beetle the main subject of artwork was completely new in 1505. Back then, most people thought insects were disgusting and unimportant. However, Dürer loved studying nature, which was common during the time period called the Renaissance. He drew this beetle with so much care and respect that it looks almost heroic, like a tiny warrior.

Dürer probably made this drawing in his studio, using quick sketches he had made outdoors and his memory of what the beetle looked like. The amazing detail shows that he considered this a complete artwork, not just a practice sketch. He used thick paint to show the beetle’s rounded shape, especially on its hard, curved outer wings. He also used transparent washes of watercolor to give you a sense of light, like the shadow underneath the beetle’s body that shows its legs lifting it off the ground.

Questions

Write or discuss your responses.

• This drawing was made over 500 years ago in 1505, before microscopes were invented in the 1590s. How do you think the artist drew the beetle so carefully without using a microscope?
• What details did the artist use to make the stag beetle look so realistic?
• This was made at a time when people thought insects were disgusting creatures that carried diseases. Do you think that the artist felt that way about this beetle? Why or why not?

Being present everywhere at the same time.

An exciting and creative time in Europe a long time ago, from the 1300s to the 1600s. People were making great art, learning new things, and exploring all sorts of ideas.