Artwork
Self-Portrait
Self-Portrait is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Heinrich Aldegrever. It dates from 1537 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
This was a time when artists experimented with printing techniques to create detailed portraits.
This is a black-and-white engraving of a bearded man wearing a fur hat and a ruffled collar. His hands rest on a ledge, and his gaze is steady. The lines are sharp, showing wrinkles and curls in his hair and beard.
The artist signed the piece at the bottom, noting it was made in 1537. This was a time when artists experimented with printing techniques to create detailed portraits.
Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this carved images into metal plates.
Overview
Heinrich Aldegrever's 1537 engraving, Self-Portrait, is a notable example of his work as a printmaker. The piece is a black-and-white representation of the artist.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts Aldegrever with a fur hat and ruffled collar, his hands resting on a ledge. His steady gaze and detailed facial features, including wrinkles and curls in his hair and beard, convey a sense of self-presentation.
Technique & Style
The sharp lines and detailed textures in the engraving demonstrate Aldegrever's skill with the medium. As a member of the 'Little Masters,' a group known for small-scale prints, Aldegrever's work reflects the technical innovations of his time.
History & Provenance
The engraving is signed and dated 1537 by the artist, situating it within a period of experimentation with printing techniques for portraiture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Heinrich Aldegrever or Aldegraf was a German painter and engraver. He was one of the "Little Masters", the group of German artists making small old master prints in the generation after Albrecht Dürer.
