Engraving. Copper Plate. Friedrich der Weise by Albrecht Dürer, 1524

In this 1524 copperplate engraving, Albrecht Dürer portrays Elector Frederick the Wise (*1463-1525), Duke of Saxony and Luther's Protector, in quarter bust (left) with cap and fur-trimmed coat. The hatched background has a mirror image of Dürer's monogram. The coat-of-arms of Saxony is placed in the top left corner and the Wettin Family coat-of-arms is placed in the top right corner of the engraving. This print was released a year before the death of the elector. the engraving may be based on drawings taken during his stay in Nürmburg between November 1522 and February 1523.

The inscription below the portrait reads: "CHRISTO SACRVM // ILLE DEI VERBO MAGNA PIETATE FAVEBAT // PERPATVA DIGNVS POSTERITATE COLI [Sacred to Christ // He promoted God's word with great piety; he is worthy to be venerated by posterity forever.]"

"D[omino] FRIDR[ico] DVCI SAXON[iae,] S[acri] R[omani] IMP[erii] / ARCHIM[areschalle] ELECTORI / ALBERTVS DVRER NVR[ibergensis] FACIEBAT / B.M.F.V.V / M.D.XXIIII [Lord Frederick, Duke of Saxony, Elector of the Holy Roman Empire / Made by Albrecht Dürer of Nürnberg / Bene Merente Fecit Vivus Vivo / 1524]

This engraving was on display at CHI from 2022 to 2023.