1471 Albrecht Dürer born in Nürnberg as the third child in a goldsmith's family. The broader Dürer family had originally come from Hungary. Albrecht began his studies by learning the skills of a goldsmith, sketch artist and engraver under his father's tutelage.

1486 The 15-year-old begins as an apprentice at the workshop of the artist Michael Wolgemut and learns woodcarving and painting techniques.

1490 Departs on a four-year trip as a journeyman to Basel, Colmar and Strasbourg.

1494 Marries Agnes Frey, the daughter of a wealthy merchant. Late in the year flees to Venice to escape an outbreak of plague.

1495 Returns from Italy and sets up his own woodcarving workshop in Nürnberg.

1498 Publishes The Apocalypse, his famous series of woodcuts depicting the end of the world. Its success establishes Dürer's reputation.

1505-07 Second trip to Italy.

1512 Works as a book decorator for the Emperor Maximilian.

1513-14 Dürer's most famous copper engravings: Knight, Death and the Devil, Melancholy I and St. Hieronymus in His Cell.

1515 The Emperor grants Dürer an annual pension of 100 gulden.

1520-21 Trip to the Low Countries.

1525 Publishes textbook on proportions.

1528 Albrecht Dürer dies.