Courtyard of the Former Castle in Innsbruck with Clouds 1494

Albrecht Dürer's "Courtyard of the Former Castle in Innsbruck with Clouds" is a watercolor painting from 1494, now held at the Albertina in Vienna. The painting depicts a realistic view of the courtyard of a castle, with detailed architectural features and a sense of depth created through the use of linear perspective. Dürer, a renowned German artist of the Renaissance, was known for his masterful draftsmanship and attention to detail. This work showcases his early mastery of watercolor and the integration of landscape and architectural elements. The scene's realism, achieved through meticulous rendering of bricks, stones, and wooden beams, highlights Dürer's early talent and the emergence of Northern Renaissance painting.