Masterpiece

Masterpiece by Elise Broach

Marvin lives with his family under the kitchen sink in the Pompadays’ apartment. He is very much a beetle. James Pompaday lives with his family in New York City. He is very much an eleven-year-old boy. After James gets a pen-and-ink set for his birthday, Marvin surprises him by creating an elaborate miniature drawing. James gets all the credit for the picture and before these unlikely friends know it they are caught up in a staged art heist at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that could help recover a famous drawing by Albrecht Dürer. But James can’t go through with the plan without Marvin’s help. And that’s where things get really complicated (and interesting!). This fast-paced mystery will have young readers on the edge of their seats as they root for boy and beetle.

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About Elise Broach

About Albrecht Dürer German Renaissance Artist (1471-1528)

Albrecht Dürer was born on May 21, 1471 in Nuremberg, Germany. He was the third child of between fourteen and eighteen children. His father was a goldsmith.

Albrecht's godfather, Anton Koberger, became a printer and publisher in the same year that Albrecht was born. His most famous publication was the Nuremberg Chronicle, which included many woodcut illustrations. Albrecht may have learned about woodcuts and printing while working on this publication.

Albrecht, at the age of 13, was the first artist to create a self-portrait. Using a mirror he worked to draw his likeness. He said, "I drew it when I was still a child." In later years he produced 3 more portraits of himself.

At the age of 15 Albrecht was showing a talent for drawing. His talent was recognized, and he became an apprentice to Michael Wolgemut, an important artist in Nuremberg at the time. His workshop created a variety of art works, particularly woodcuts for books.

Dürer made many drawings, watercolors and oil paintings during his lifetime. Sixty of his oil paintings remain. His most celebrated works include Young Hare (1502), The Praying Hands (1508), and Rhinoceros (1515).

Albrecht Dürer died on April 6, 1528 in Nuremberg, Germany. He is regarded as one of the greatest artists of the Renaissance Era, and the greatest printmaker of all time.