The artwork “Draft for a book sign Crane” by Albrecht Dürer is a miniature from the Northern Renaissance period. This image showcases Dürer’s precision and attention to detail, which is characteristic of his style and the Northern Renaissance movement.
In the artwork, a crane stands central on what appears to be a patch of grass or a cushion, depicted with attention to its feathering and anatomy. The bird is shown with its wings partially spread and its long neck arched, with its beak open as if calling or about to catch something. Surrounding the crane is a decorative, scroll-like banner with the letters “GI” and “CIG” displayed prominently. These letters may have particular significance, possibly representing a monogram, initials, or abbreviation relevant to the book for which this is a draft sign. The year “1513” is inscribed at the bottom of the image, providing a clear date for the creation of the piece. The crane itself is rendered in a naturalistic style typical of Dürer’s work, while the flowing banner adds an ornamental and artistic flourish to the composition.
