Albrecht Dürer’s Rhinoceros by Asprey Studio

About

Invited by the British Museum, Asprey Studio’s master silversmiths studied the original Dürer preparatory sketch, a drawing that remained the definitive European image of a rhinoceros for centuries. Dr. Olenka Horbatsch, the museum’s Curator of Dutch, Flemish and German prints and drawings, stated: “Dürer’s Rhinoceros is a famous image that has been a part of the cultural imagination for centuries and has inspired countless versions, copies, and adaptations.”

Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528), painter, printmaker and theorist, widely regarded as one of the greatest Renaissance artists, drew The Rhinoceros without ever seeing it in the flesh, basing his sketch on a description from a Portuguese merchant’s newsletter. Each sculpture has been meticulously handcrafted by the Asprey Studio Workshop in Kent, UK. At approximately 40cm in length - far larger than typical silver sculptures - they are created using a unique process that combines multiple silversmithing techniques to achieve an unparalleled level of detail.

Composed of over 90 individually crafted pieces, the sculptures undergo an intricate journey from conception to completion. Master engravers, polishers, and artisans meticulously shape and refine each element before the final assembly, ensuring exceptional detail and precision. The first sculpture took over eight months to complete - a phase during which the Asprey Studio’s silversmiths refined the optimal methods of production. Subsequent sculptures take between three to six months to produce. Alastair Walker, artist and Chief Creative Officer of Asprey Studio, commented, “This collection represents a remarkable fusion of traditional silversmithing techniques and cutting-edge production processes.

The result is a sculpture that is not only substantial in size but also unparalleled in detail, reflecting Dürer’s work. As Dürer pioneered woodblock printing, the methods used are not too similar to how we engrave on silver .” Each of the 11 physical pieces come with the digital inscription of Dürer’s Rhinoceros on the blockchain using a parent/child inscription that prevents any further additions and serves as a modern family tree of provenance, further enriching the legacy of this innovative project.