The ABC's of Trip Reporting- PLEASE JOIN US ON THE NEW THREAD!

[All7OfUs]

Good luck with the job you applied for!

Great way to 'test the waters'. Fingers crosed.

Thanks, Ladies!

 

[winkers]

I'm here and waaaaaaayyyy behind! I was compuer-less for a little over a week!

 

[All7OfUs]

The poor kids, and now Mike, were still throwing up on and off, so it was now only Anara and I who were able to venture out again. I was really, really bummed about this because of all the amazing things we saw in Nuremberg, this was the one thing that Mikki would have enjoyed the most. She loves art and history, and this would have really tickled her funny bone.

The weather was still NOT cooperating with us, and although it was not really raining, it was definitely MUCH cooler than we had either anticipated or packed for. Nevertheless, out we set for here:

To the legendary home and works of:

Truly, this ended up being one of the more interesting and worthwhile things we did during our visit. I have always been a fan of Albrecht Durer, ever since high school when I took an AP art history class. This tour was so cool because not only did I get to see a few of his works, but we were really able to delve deeply into how this master lived and worked in his studio which was situated right here in this house!!

First, let me show you a few of the pieces they had on display, then move into the “tour” part of our visit- just to get you familiar with his style of work. He greatly loved and studied animals and nature, and in fact himself, was a philosopher and an astronomer who studied the heavens.

When we walked in, we were greeted by a VERY friendly staff, who explained how the tour worked, how much it cost, and even offered to sell us the “Family Museum Tour Day Package” which would have allowed as many as were in our family to tour any of Nuremberg’s city museums for a low group price. I almost did it, but knowing that no one else was going to venture out again today, (it was only good for the day) this would likely be our only museum – just Anara and I.

We paid our very nominal entrance fee, and given a really slick headset.

We were told that the tour would last as long as we made it! I love that! I love the freedom to wander, explore, photograph, and ponder the various displays and artifacts. The BEST part of this system is that it is completely self-guided. As you entered a room, you would look for a sign with the room’s name and its corresponding number. Then you would push in that number on the handheld device in which the headset was attached and push “start”. Voila! A pretty detailed description of the room, what it was used for, and what we were seeing in it, was all given as if Durer’s wife was the tour guide. I thought that was a really clever touch, that was super creative and really did a nifty job at making us believe we were really back in 1500 Ancient Bavaria touring the master painter’s home and studio!

Eventually, we made our way up to a realistically reproduced work studio on the 3rd (?) floor, where Durer and his several apprentices would have spent their days painting, carving, mixing pigment, preparing parchment, and studying. Apparently, there were constantly live animals in there for posing and observing, as well as natural odds and ends from all over the world to make pigment with such as:

And,

And even gold to make works like this:

To leave this amazing museum without a souvenir would be like going to the Magic Kingdom and coming home with no picture in front of the castle (which I did!!!) And as we were ending our tour we happened upon the perfect take home treasure. An authentic print made on one of the presses here at the museum! I will take you through the process as we were shown, when the artist created our custom-made special piece to take home, thru pictures:

Thick ink is made from various sources- all in earth and natural tones. Powders such as this were mixed with oils to make a sort of paint like stuff:

The artist sits at a desk like this with brushes, clothes, and wet paper towels ( I wonder if Durer chose Bounty the Quicker Picker-upper?) and brush the pigments onto a metal cast of Durer’s carved wooden block. Like this:

After she was satisfied with how the pigments were placed, she took the plate over to a press like this:

Then she took a clean sheet of artists paper, which is some ways really looks a bit like the handmade stuff you can do in Epcot, and placed it into the press on top of the painted plate.

After everything was loaded into the press, she closed the press and started to roll the rolling thingy (nothing like knowing the technical words for this stuff!) over the plate and paper stack. And now this is starting to sound like we’re all set up for tailgate or family BBQ.

(I'm afraid this probably isn't the most flattering picture of her.)

After a couple passes over the set up, it was time to see how my print turned out!! I was giddy with excitement- I tend to get that way, even over Durer art. And so, with the appropriate drum rolls and hoopla, here is my most fabulous souvenir I brought home from Nuremberg, aside from the memories I have with my dear friends Magdalene, Katharina and her parents!


Here it is:

This is probably the most famous of his works, aside from the Praying Hands or his self-portrait. But here’s a teaser… This, being as cool as it is, reminds me of another souvenir. In fact, it must take a 2nd place to the even more fabulous souvenir I got from Disney!!

And with that, I’ll wish you a Magical Day in which you can ponder how Tate was having his own Bavarian party. While I was out scoping out the artists, he was, well… I’ll let you just wonder what kind of trouble he was getting himself into…

 

[onelilspark]

Oh that is so neat! I was a finance major in college, but took random art classes on the side because I'm fascinated by it. Realized about a month prior to graduating I had a minor in art Art History was my favorite, I just ate everything up!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

The tour sounds really great!! I love your souvenir. Do you have that framed and hanging?

 

[All7OfUs]

Oh that is so neat! I was a finance major in college, but took random art classes on the side because I'm fascinated by it. Realized about a month prior to graduating I had a minor in art Art History was my favorite, I just ate everything up!

That is so funny that you didn't know you had a minor in art until almost graduation!! THat must have been a seriously cool surprise!

Really, that is a pretty well-rounded education and diversity of interests- sort of like left brain meets right.

The tour sounds really great!! I love your souvenir. Do you have that framed and hanging?

I would love to get it framed but am waiting until after we move to see what room I want it in, and how I want the frame to complement the room.

 

[TarzansKat]

This post so makes me miss college. Looking at the studio and pigments...:::sigh::: I took a printmaking class, but way too late to major in it, and it's too bad because I adored it.

Durer is an amazing artist, and I think it's so neat that you got to tour his home. I love that it was self-guided, that makes it so much better to let you ponder what you want as you will.

 

[Flossbolna]

I haven't been there since 2005 or so, I really should go on that tour sometime soon again! But this weekend I will go to an exhibition about castles with my god child.

Loved your update (and thanks for the nice compliment on our meal together!)

 

[All7OfUs]

This post so makes me miss college. Looking at the studio and pigments...:::sigh::: I took a printmaking class, but way too late to major in it, and it's too bad because I adored it.

Durer is an amazing artist, and I think it's so neat that you got to tour his home. I love that it was self-guided, that makes it so much better to let you ponder what you want as you will.

I actually thought of you during this tour and as I wrote this up! Then low and behold you updated today, and I was thrilled to see you had started drawing and painting again!! Thrilled I say!! I had no idea that when you do a print like this, you actually mix and layer the colors almost like in a canvas painting!! Amazing! She used probably 4 or more colors in my print, and then took me over to some that were already pre-made and helped me compare and critique them. IT was so totally cool!!!

I will admit, the tour that was guided (there was this option) would have been perhaps more detailed in that you could ask questions, none were given in English this day, and you had to stay with the group, and was more expensive. So the choice was made for us, and I really, really like how it turned out.

 

[All7OfUs]

I haven't been there since 2005 or so, I really should go on that tour sometime soon again! But this weekend I will go to an exhibition about castles with my god child.

Loved your update (and thanks for the nice compliment on our meal together!)

That sounds like a great exhibition too!! I didn't know (or maybe I'd forgotten?) thatyou had a god child! How special that you get to spend a day with her doing something fun!

Yes! I'd love to hear your opinion on whether a local Nuremberger would like this tour/museum. I just know for a tourist, we really enjoyed it a lot.

Eventually, we'll get to that meal.... only a day and a half left, one castle, one more church, a bunch of awesome fountains, more puking, and breast feeding gone wild.

 

[PennyLane1084]

Awesome an art history nerd like me! I was going to mention earilier that I think I studied that church in Art History in College or at least that style. The diagram looked very familiar. So, when you did this tour, I got excited just to see the pictures. The rabbit print is so cool and the fact that you got watch them press it and everything is even better!! Nuremburg looks like a really beautiful place!

 

[MaryAz]

Very cool place to visit and love the print.

 

[All7OfUs]

Awesome an art history nerd like me! I was going to mention earilier that I think I studied that church in Art History in College or at least that style. The diagram looked very familiar. So, when you did this tour, I got excited just to see the pictures. The rabbit print is so cool and the fact that you got watch them press it and everything is even better!! Nuremburg looks like a really beautiful place!

Hey, hey, it's PL! The church was definitely a beauty, and something you sure don't see every day around here! I can't wait to get my bunny framed up and on my wall, where I can see him every day! Nuremberg is really a tourist's haven! Lots to see and do!

Very cool place to visit and love the print.

Thanks, Mary!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Liesa! I tried to post last night, with multi-quotes and everything, and the board was frozen. I don't remember what was so funny now!

I'm really enjoying your beautiful pics of Germany. What an awesome opportunity! You actually make sauerkraut look good! I love the moose head - so lodgy, and the chandelier was quite a piece.

Love the apron, the costumes are beautiful and it was very interesting to see the "period dance" the kids were doing. I love how you took a trip to Ye Oldde Taco Bell on the way.

Now I see you've been writing, so off to catch up again!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Okay, I'm back - did you miss me?

What a cool museum and a great educational opp for Anara! I love history!

Pennylane, every time I see your name I think the of the groupie in gogo boots I saw dancing on the side of the British Invasion performance at Epcot!

 

[All7OfUs]

Hi Liesa! I tried to post last night, with multi-quotes and everything, and the board was frozen. I don't remember what was so funny now!

I HATE when that happens- too many times to count! I've been vexed by the system too on occasion.

I'm really enjoying your beautiful pics of Germany. What an awesome opportunity! You actually make sauerkraut look good! I love the moose head - so lodgy, and the chandelier was quite a piece.

HA! It does take some doing to make saurkraut look good. Honestly, paired up with those tasty sausages makes it all the more better!

I don't think Leslie has seen that light fixture yet, maybe I should post it over on her thread.

Love the apron, the costumes are beautiful and it was very interesting to see the "period dance" the kids were doing. I love how you took a trip to Ye Oldde Taco Bell on the way.

I have a ton more video, but I thought I'd spare you the 10 of them.

Taco Bell is my favorite for a cheap eat in a real hurry- beyond that, it's not much- except to receive fair young maidens at their hungriest hour!

Now I see you've been writing, so off to catch up again!

I see you've done it!

Okay, I'm back - did you miss me?

What a cool museum and a great educational opp for Anara! I love history!

Pennylane, every time I see your name I think the of the groupie in gogo boots I saw dancing on the side of the British Invasion performance at Epcot!

I did!

I think she'll always remember it!!

I REMEMBER THAT!!!

 

[KatMark]

Liesa, the tour sounds great and something we would truly enjoy. And, although ALL of the pictures are great, this is definitely my favorite.

 

[All7OfUs]

Liesa, the tour sounds great and something we would truly enjoy. And, although ALL of the pictures are great, this is definitely my favorite.

Tate found many ways to get into himself into fun stuff! I love the way he's giving the man in leiderhosen (sp?) the eye.

 

[winkers]

all caught up....again!

 

[All7OfUs]

all caught up....again!

Winkers is back!!! Glad your computer is up and running again so you can hang out!!