Dürer’s Praying Hands are one of the world’s most popular artworks. Few artists have changed the art world more profoundly than Leonardo and Dürer. They bring their subjects to life with breath-taking virtuosity, creating masterpieces of incredible intimacy.

Mythology, religious faith and history, images of everyday life and travel scenes were core themes of the 15th century and stand at the centre of the art displayed in the drawings of Leonardo and Dürer. The images reveal their charm in the interplay of chiaroscuro effects on coloured paper. The works of both masters are shown alongside sheets by their contemporaries like Albrecht Altdorfer and Raphael. How could this art form assert its independence and what made it so popular and successful? The lavish publication examines these fascinating questions and illustrates the wide-ranging expressive possibilities that the technique offers.