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Albrecht Dürer / The Beast with Two Horns like a Lamb c.1496–97 / from ‘The Apocalypse’ Latin edition, 1511 / Proposed for the Queensland Art Gallery Collection / The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse c.1497–98 / from ‘The Apocalypse’ Latin edition, 1511 / Proposed for the Queensland Art Gallery Collection / The Angel with the Key to the Bottomless Pit c.1496–97 / from ‘The Apocalypse’ Latin edition, 1511 / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery / Gift of Selina Rivers 1949
MEDIA RELEASE
21 MAY 2013
GALLERY FOUNDATION LAUNCHES APPEAL FOR DÜRER WOODCUTS
The Queensland Art Gallery Foundation is appealing for funds to complete a rare set of Renaissance prints, ‘The Apocalypse’ by master German painter, draftsman and printmaker Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528), for the State’s collection.

Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Director Chris Saines said the Foundation’s 2013 Appeal needed to acquire five woodcuts to complete the set and significantly enrich the Gallery’s international art collection.

‘Dürer’s ‘Apocalypse’, a series of 16 woodcuts which dramatically interpret the texts of the Book of Revelation, is recognised as a transformative work in the history of art and one of the most significant contributions to the northern Renaissance,’ Mr Saines said.

‘Dürer’s technical virtuosity brought the vivid imagery of the Apocalypse to life, illustrating the chaos and destruction of the Revelation of St John in a way that was unmatched in the fifteenth century, and remains compelling to this day. ’

Nine woodcuts from the series were donated to the Queensland Art Gallery in 1949 by Selina Rivers, widow of artist Godfrey Rivers who painted one the most beloved works in the QAG Collection, Under the jacaranda 1903, and two additional woodcuts were acquired this year with funds from the Airey family, through the Foundation.

Mr Saines said the 2013 Foundation Appeal to complete the set would honour the Rivers’ pioneering philanthropic contribution to the Gallery.

‘Godfrey and Selina Rivers are among the most prominent and influential figures of the Queensland Art Gallery’s cultural heritage,’ he said.

‘Godfrey Rivers’ efforts were instrumental to the opening of a public gallery, the Queensland National Art Gallery, in the Town Hall in Brisbane in 1895, and he curated the first exhibition. He was a member of the Board of Trustees, acting as the first Secretary to the Trustees from their appointment and was appointed the first Curator of art, from 1898-1915.’

Tim Fairfax AM, President of the Gallery’s Foundation, said the appeal presented a unique opportunity for supporters to contribute to the completion of this seminal suite of internationally significant works.

‘Since it was established in 1979, the Foundation has raised more than $82 million, enabling the acquisition of over 6000 works and providing vital support to the development of the Gallery’s Collection, exhibitions and programs,’ Mr Fairfax said.

For further information, or to make a donation, please visit www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/appeal2013 or contact the Gallery’s Foundation on (07) 3840 7262.

Albrecht Dürer’s ‘The Apocalypse’ is on display in the Queensland Art Gallery’s international galleries until July 21.

 
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