The artwork “Back figure” by Albrecht Dürer, dating from 1503-1504, is a piece associated with the Northern Renaissance movement and is considered a genre painting. This piece is housed in the Kupferstichkabinett Berlin located in Berlin, Germany.
The drawing depicts a man seen from behind, poised with his left hand extended outward and his right hand holding onto a spear or halberd. He is attired in period clothing, which includes puffed sleeves and tight-fitting hose. The figure also sports a detailed helmet embellished with what appears to be a dramatic feather or plume. Dürer’s attention to detail is evident in the intricate folds of the fabric and the anatomical precision of the man’s posture and musculature. The figure exhibits a sense of motion, and the positioning of the arms and legs suggests an act of presentation or declaration. The draughtsmanship showcases Dürer’s skill in representing texture, form, and movement, elements characteristic of the Northern Renaissance’s elaborate and precise artistic style.
