The artwork “Portrait of a Woman (Creszentia Pirckheimer)” was created in 1503 by Albrecht Dürer, a master of the Northern Renaissance. Dürer was renowned for his exquisite artistry, and this portrait is an example of his talents in portraying the human figure with precision and sensitivity. The piece is categorized as a portrait genre and is preserved at the Kupferstichkabinett in Berlin, Germany.
In the artwork, you can observe a profile portrait of a woman gazing downward to the left, giving an impression of introspection or quietude. The angle of the profile reveals the delicate features of her face, including the gentle curve of her nose, the softness of her cheek, and the slight parting of her lips. She wears a traditional head covering which frames her face and accentuates the smoothness of her forehead. Her garment appears modest and simple, indicative of the fashion of the time for a woman of her standing. Attention to detail is evident in the rendering of delicate lines to define her facial contours and the intricate folds of her clothing. The portrait is monochromatic, employing shades of black and grey to achieve depth and volume.
The date “1503” and Dürer’s distinctive monogram are inscribed prominently at the top of the composition, providing a direct connection between the artist and the year of the artwork’s creation. The monogram consists of a large “A” encasing a smaller “D,” representing Albrecht Dürer’s initials.
