The artwork “Portrait of a Boy with a Long Beard” is attributed to Albrecht Dürer and dates back to circa 1527. It is a representation of the Northern Renaissance art movement and classifies as a portrait. Currently, this piece of art is located at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.
This portrait features an unusual and striking portrayal of a boy with an anomalously long beard. The young subject’s head appears centrally in the composition with fair skin that catches light on the forehead and cheek, further emphasizing the youthfulness of the face against the mature attribute of a full, long beard. The beard flows downward extensively, almost suggesting an otherworldly or fantastical element. The dark background contrasts sharply with the pale face and greyish beard, focusing the viewer’s attention on the figure’s delicate features and the abnormal length of the beard. The use of light and shadow to highlight the textures and contours of the boy’s face and beard is a typical feature of Northern Renaissance portraiture, showcasing Dürer’s skillful technique and meticulous attention to detail.
