Artwork
Self-Portrait
Self-Portrait is a print by the Northern Renaissance artist Heinrich Aldegrever. It dates from 1530 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Heinrich Aldegrever’s *Self‑Portrait* is a small engraved print dated 1530. Executed in the fine line work typical of the German “Little Masters,” the image presents the artist in a straightforward, unembellished manner. The figure occupies a dark field, which isolates him and draws attention to the details of his face, hat and ruffled collar.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts Aldegrever himself, turned slightly toward the viewer’s right, wearing a broad‑brimmed, rounded hat and a high, ruffled collar. His expression is sober, the lines of his face marked by age and concentration, suggesting a quiet confidence and a self‑conscious awareness of his professional identity.
Technique & Style
Engraved on a copper plate, the print relies on intricate hatching and cross‑hatching to render texture and volume. The artist’s careful line work defines the folds of the clothing and the subtle modeling of the facial features, achieving a high level of detail within a modestly sized format characteristic of the Little Masters’ approach.
History & Provenance
Aldegrever, active in the first half of the sixteenth century, belonged to the generation that followed Albrecht Dürer. His prints circulated among collectors of the period, and this self‑portrait has been documented in several early inventories, confirming its attribution to the artist and its survival in multiple impressions.
Context
The portrait emerges from the Northern Renaissance, a time when German printmakers explored individual identity and technical virtuosity. Aldegrever’s work reflects the broader interest in personal representation and the dissemination of artistic reputation through portable, affordable prints.
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.
