Though his father wanted him to continue his training as a goldsmith, he showed such a precocious talent in drawing that he started as an apprentice to Michael Wolgemut at the age of fifteen in 1486.
Iako je njegov otac htio da se bavi zlatarstvom, veću nadarenost je pokazivao za crtanje te je započeo raditi kao učenik Michaela Wolgemuta u dobi od petnaest godine 1486.