This artwork is a supposed self-portrait and a detail from “Adoration of the Trinity (Landauer Altarpiece)” by Albrecht Dürer, a Northern Renaissance master. Crafted in 1511, the medium is oil on panel, and the piece is currently located in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria. It showcases Dürer’s skill in portraiture and his significant role during the Northern Renaissance.
In the image, we see a man standing to the left side of the composition, holding a large placard. This man is thought to be Albrecht Dürer himself, making it a purported self-portrait. Dürer is depicted wearing what appears to be 16th-century attire, consisting of a grey overcoat with a fur edge, a bright pink sleeve on his right arm, and a red fabric visible underneath his overcoat. He also dons a red hat and matching red shoes, standing out with their vibrant colors against the earthy tones of his clothing. His long, curled hair frames a face marked by a thoughtful or solemn expression as he looks outwards, towards the viewer. The large placard he holds presents a Latin inscription, which translates to “Albrecht Dürer of Nuremberg made this 1511,” suggesting the artist’s pride in his work and his desire to leave his mark. The background is minimal, showing only a hint of a tree and a plain blue sky, directing focus to the figure and the inscription he presents.
