The artwork titled “Lectern with books” is a creation by Albrecht Dürer from 1521, currently housed at the Albertina in Vienna, Austria. This work is part of the Northern Renaissance movement and is classified as a sketch and study. It relates to a study on “St. Jerome,” highlighting Dürer’s detailed study of objects within a scholarly context.
The image shows a lectern, upon which large open books are resting. The books exhibit thick and sturdy covers, suggesting durability and perhaps frequent use. Their pages appear to be delicate and slightly rumpled, indicative of the handmade paper of the time. Underneath the lectern, other items can be observed: a round, closed container which could serve for storage and another closed book with its straps hanging over the edge, hinting at the functionality of these items in a studious setting. The careful attention to texture and light in the drawing emphasizes the tactile qualities of the materials, from the wooden surfaces to the fabric bookmarks. Dürer’s talent in rendering such detail is evident, with even the wood grain of the lectern leg visible, complementing the meticulous portrayal of the scholarly objects.
