Four Books on Human Proportion

A large ornamental drop cap letter 'D' decorated with swirling vine and foliage motifs.
To the honorable and well-respected Lord
Wilibald Pirckheymer, Councilor to his Imperial Majesty, etc.,
my favorable dear Lord and greatly helpful
friend, I, Albrecht Dürer, offer my
willing service.

An ornamental drop cap letter 'W' in a Fraktur or Gothic style.
Although, Favorable Lord and friend, I do not doubt that some will presume to criticize this undertaking of mine, because I, as an unlearned man of little understanding and gifted with little art, dare to write and teach that which I myself have never learned or been instructed in by anyone else. Dürer often used this "humble" persona; although he was a genius, he lacked the formal university education in Latin typical of scholars like Pirckheimer. Nevertheless, because you have repeatedly encouraged and even partly pressed me to publish these books of mine, I have chosen to risk the danger of gossip rather than refuse your request. Although I hope that no one endowed with virtue and understanding will interpret it poorly that I bring to light so generously and for the common benefit of all artists that which I have achieved with great diligence, constant effort, and work—and not without significant loss of temporal wealth original: "zeytlicher." Dürer refers to the time and money spent on his research that could have been used for profitable commissions.—but rather that everyone will praise my good intentions and inclined will, and understand it in the best possible way. Since I have no doubt I will be doing a favor to all lovers of art and those who desire to learn, I must let envy (which leaves nothing unpunished) take its usual course and reply that it is much easier to criticize a thing than to invent it oneself. And it is certainly not untrue that if the books of the ancients who wrote on the arts of painting were still before our eyes, this undertaking of mine might be interpreted poorly, as if I presumed to find something better. Dürer refers to lost classical texts, such as those by Apelles or Parrhasius, which Renaissance artists deeply mourned. But since such books have been entirely lost through the passage of time, I cannot with any fairness be blamed if I—as the ancients also did—release my opinion and invention in writing, so that other knowledgeable people may also be given cause to do the same, and our successors may have something that they can increase and improve, so that the art of painting may in time once again reach its perfection. Yet no one is forced to follow this teaching of mine as if it were entirely perfect in all respects; for human nature has not yet so declined that someone else might not also invent something better. Therefore, everyone may use this instruction of mine as long as it pleases them or until they find something better; if not, they may well consider that this teaching was written not for them, but for others who desire to accept it. For it must be a very weak mind that does not trust itself to invent something further, but always lies on the old path, follows only others, and does not presume to think further. Therefore, it is fitting for every knowledgeable person to follow another in such a way that they do not despair of finding something better in time; for when that happens, there is no doubt that this art may in time once again reach its perfection, as it did in olden days. For it is obvious that the German painters are not a little skilled with their hands and the use of colors, although they have until now lacked the art of measurement, as well as perspective original: "Perspectiva." The mathematical science of representing 3D space on a 2D surface. and other such things. Therefore, it is to be hoped that if they also achieve these, and thus combine practice and art with one another, they will in time yield the prize to no other nation. But no image can ever be perfect without right proportion, even if it is made as diligently as is ever possible; although it is not necessary to make all, and especially very small images, according to measurement, as that would require too much effort. Yet if one [knows] the measurement right and...