Who painted Portrait of the artist's father?

Portrait of the artist's father was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1496.

Where can I see Portrait of the artist's father?

Portrait of the artist's father is held by Uffizi Gallery.

What movement is Portrait of the artist's father?

Portrait of the artist's father is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of the artist's father?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of the artist's father are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of the artist's father

Albrecht Dürer , 1496

Portrait of the artist's father is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1496 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1496, this oil painting on panel presents Albrecht Dürer the Elder, the father of the renowned German artist. Executed during the Northern Renaissance, the work exemplifies the precise observation and naturalistic detail that characterize Dürer’s early portraiture.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter is shown in a dark brown jacket and black shirt, his hair curled and dark, his expression solemn as he gazes to his left. He holds a string of glossy red beads, a detail that may hint at personal or symbolic significance, while the muted green background reinforces the focus on his visage.

Technique & Style

Dürer employs oil pigments to achieve subtle gradations of tone, using chiaroscuro to model the facial features and the texture of the fabric. The rendering of the beads demonstrates a careful glazing technique that captures their reflective quality, while the overall composition reflects the artist’s commitment to realistic representation.

History & Provenance

By the mid‑1490s Dürer had already earned a reputation across Europe for his woodcuts, and this portrait marks one of his first forays into oil painting. The work remained in the Dürer family for several generations before entering public collections, where it continues to be studied as an early example of his mature style.