“Head of a smiling woman” is a portrait by the artist Albrecht Dürer, created during the Northern Renaissance. This piece forms part of the portrait genre, where Dürer masterfully captures the vivacity and detail of his subject.
The artwork depicts a woman slightly turned to the side, exuding a gentle, engaging smile. Her lively eyes appear to follow the viewer, creating a sense of interaction and presence. Dürer’s fine, delicate linework showcases the texture of her hair, each strand meticulously rendered with attention to light and shadow. This sense of detail extends to her features and clothing, where subtle shading techniques lend a soft, three-dimensional form to the portrait. The woman’s clothing, although not entirely detailed in this work, suggests a style consistent with the fashion of the Northern Renaissance period.
Noteworthy in this drawing is the monogram of the artist and the date—1503—indicating the year of creation, placed prominently at the top-right corner. This signature attests to Dürer’s confidence in his work and helps historical authentication. The overall composition, with its delicate balance of realism and characterization, is a testament to Dürer’s mastery of his craft and his enduring influence on the art of portraiture.
