Who painted Bagpiper?

Bagpiper was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1514.

Where can I see Bagpiper?

Bagpiper is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Bagpiper?

Bagpiper is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

Bagpiper

Albrecht Dürer , 1514

Bagpiper is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1514 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Albrecht Dürer’s engraving Bagpiper, executed in 1514, presents a solitary musician captured in fine line work on laid paper. The print measures modestly, yet its composition draws attention to the figure’s posture and the intricate detailing of the instrument, reflecting Dürer’s interest in everyday subjects rendered with precision.

Technique & Style

Created through the intaglio process, the work employs a network of fine incised lines that build tonal variation across the paper’s textured surface. Dürer’s handling of hatching and cross‑hatching achieves subtle shading, while the crisp outlines emphasize the bagpipe’s form, illustrating his mastery of printmaking techniques that were advancing in early sixteenth‑century Germany.

History & Provenance

Since its production, the engraving has been part of several collections, ultimately entering the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The museum acquired the piece as part of its broader effort to assemble representative works by Dürer, ensuring public access to this example of his early print oeuvre.