Hans Albrecht von Derschau was a German artist, collector, and art historian, born on April 1, 1784, in Nuremberg, which was then part of the Holy Roman Empire. His full name was Johann Albrecht Friedrich von Derschau, but he is commonly known as Hans Albrecht von Derschau. He came from a noble background, which provided him with the means and the leisure to pursue his interests in the arts.
Derschau is often remembered for his work as an art collector rather than as an artist. He developed a keen interest in the works of Albrecht Dürer, the renowned Renaissance artist who was also a native of Nuremburg. Derschau amassed an extensive collection of Dürer’s works, including prints, drawings, and other related materials. His dedication to collecting and preserving Dürer's works was so profound that he is credited with having saved many of Dürer's drawings for posterity.
Aside from his collection of Dürer's works, Derschau also collected various other art pieces and historical artifacts. As an art historian, he was known for his scholarly approach to the provenance and history of the artworks he collected. His contributions to the field of art history, particularly concerning the works of Dürer and other German Renaissance artists, were significant during his time.
Despite his passion for art and art history, Hans Albrecht von Derschau did not achieve the same level of fame as an artist in his own right. His personal artistic endeavors have been largely overshadowed by his role as a collector and historian. Nevertheless, his legacy lives on through the artworks and historical knowledge he preserved.
Hans Albrecht von Derschau died on July 12, 1861, in Nuremberg. His collections have continued to be valuable resources for art historians and researchers studying the German Renaissance and, in particular, the life and works of Albrecht Dürer.