Artwork
Portrait of a Man
Portrait of a Man is a chalk drawing by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1510 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Portrait of a Man is a silverpoint drawing on brown paper, created by Albrecht Dürer around 1510, depicting a man's head and shoulders in delicate detail.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, a bearded man with long hair, is shown from the chest up, facing left, wearing a simple high-necked garment. His expression and attire do not clearly indicate his identity or social status.
Technique & Style
Dürer employed silverpoint heightened with white to achieve precise, intricate lines and subtle shading, conveying a sense of depth and volume, particularly in the hair and facial features.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1510, the drawing's early history and ownership before its current location are not detailed in available information.
Context
This work reflects Dürer's mastery of Renaissance portrait drawing techniques, characteristic of Northern European art during this period.
Legacy
As a typical example of Dürer's portraiture, it contributes to the artist's reputation for meticulous detail and expressive depth in his drawings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Albrecht Dürer spent his life in Nuremberg, a busy German city where artists traded prints like currency.
![Madonna and Child [obverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--madonna-and-child-obverse--d7b8ebf05d22ebe5-w320.webp)
![Lot and His Daughters [reverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--lot-and-his-daughters-reverse--b4ebf9b282faa17a-w320.webp)
