The painting “Portrait of a Man” by Albrecht Dürer, dated around 1504, is an oil on panel artwork belonging to the Northern Renaissance movement and falls under the genre of portrait. This work of art exemplifies the period’s emphasis on detail, realistic representation, and subtle character portrayal.
In this portrait, we see a man, set against a striking red background, gazing off to his left. His expression is serene and contemplative, capturing the humanist focus on individuality and self-awareness that was characteristic of the Renaissance. The man’s skin is rendered with meticulous attention to detail, lending him a lifelike appearance. He wears a dark garment that appears to be made of fur, and a black netted cap on his head, adding to the realism of the textile’s textures. Dürer’s skill in capturing the subtleties of light and shadow is evident in the way he models the subject’s face and the intricate patterns of the cap. The portrayal’s life-like precision and the thoughtful expression captured on the man’s face depict the artist’s mastery and the artistic ideals of his era.
