First: this is a useful knowledge, as it is from God and it does serve a holy cause.

Second: useful, as by dealing sciences we can avoid evil things that would happen
if we were being idle.

Third: useful, as nobody would think how much joy comes from the learning itself; a great-great joy.

Fourth: useful, because if practised with honesty, we would gain lasting fame.

Fifth: useful, as the glory of God Almighty is served whenever people can see He gives some
of His creatures talent and resourcefulness to gain such great knowledge,
and you would be favoured by the wise men for your immense knowledge.

And its sixth usefulness is, if you are poor, through this knowledge you can gain great fortunes.

On Painting

Item, who wants to be a painter, that must be suitable for it by nature.

Item, the art of painting can be learned better by affection and intention than by coercion.

Item, you become a great painter only if trained from your early childhood.

Item, at first the pupil must copy the works of the great Masters diligently until he gets clever with his hands.

Item, what does paintig mean.

Item, the painter is able to represent all and every visible thing on the flat surface of any kind.

Item, it is right and advisable to teach the pupil to represent the human figure and proportions,
before depicting anything else.

Item, the more beatiful a picture is thought, the more perfectly it imitates the Nature.

On the Beauty

Item, it is right and proper for a painter—if it is up to him—to paint the picture beautifully
to the best of his knowledge.

I do not know what beauty is, but I think it is advisable to accept the majority’s opinion about it
and to try to fulfil their expectations.

Item, the deficiencies and shortcomings are ugly, so the beauty is equally damaged
by the too much and the too few. The harmonious and well-matched things are beautiful,
the uselessness must be avoided.

Item, the usefulness is an important part of the beauty. Different things can also harmonize.
But as for what the uselessness is; good examples are the lameness and other shortcomings.

Item, in ascertaining of beauty it is sensible to consult the experienced and respected masters.

Item, the beauty can be of many kind and it can have many causes.
The piece of art can be considered beautiful if it is without shortcomings.

Item, possessing the very knowledge you would be in your works certain and clever.

Dürer, Albrecht, 1508