Feast of the Rosary (detail, Supposed Self Portrait) (1506) by Albrecht Durer

Feast of the Rosary (detail, Supposed Self Portrait) - Albrecht Durer - 1506

Artwork Information

TitleFeast of the Rosary (detail, Supposed Self Portrait)
ArtistAlbrecht Durer
Date1506
Art MovementNorthern Renaissance

About Feast of the Rosary (detail, Supposed Self Portrait)

The image presented here is a detail from the artwork “Feast of the Rosary,” which is attributed to the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer and dated to 1506. This particular detail is believed to be a supposed self-portrait of Dürer himself, a feature that is not unusual in his work. The artwork falls within the Northern Renaissance art movement and is part of a larger genre that includes self-portraiture, though it should be noted that this detail is just one part of a more extensive composition.

In this detailed excerpt, we see a figure believed to be Dürer, standing out with a strikingly vivid presence. He has a robust, reddish-blond beard and long hair of a similar tone that cascades over his shoulders. The individual’s gaze is self-assured and direct, meeting the viewer’s eye with a well-defined look. The person is wearing a bright orange garment with a stripe of darker, contrasting detail, suggesting an outfit that denotes some degree of affluence or status.

Behind the figure is a landscape that gives a distant view of a city with various structures, clearly delineated in the form of high towers and buildings, mingling with the natural scenery of trees and hills. This backdrop adds depth to the portrait and situates the character within a broader context, perhaps signifying his connection with the world around him. The figure is also holding a sheet of paper with writing on it, which was a common motif used by artists of the time to include either a dedication, a date, or some other personal or symbolic inscription.

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