The artwork titled “Portrait of a Young Man” was created by Albrecht Dürer in 1514, during the Northern Renaissance. This portrait is a prime example of the genre, reflective of Dürer’s meticulous attention to detail. It can be found in the Kupferstichkabinett Dresden in Dresden, Germany.
In the portrait, we see a young man in a three-quarter view facing to the left. The drawing exhibits a high level of craftsmanship with precise line work and shading, demonstrating Dürer’s mastery of the medium. The subject is adorned with a hat, typical of the period’s fashion, which adds a sense of depth and volume to the composition. The individual strands of hair and the textures of the fabric are rendered with great care, while the young man’s facial features are portrayed with delicate realism.
The expression captured by Dürer seems introspective, giving the young man a thoughtful or contemplative appearance. There’s an impressive level of realism to the depiction of his eyes, nose, lips, and the slight shadow on his neck, showcasing Dürer’s skill in capturing the essence of his sitter. This artwork represents Dürer’s commitment to individualism and the humanist values that were central to the Northern Renaissance movement. It is the artist’s acute observation and lifelike rendering that continue to engage viewers, centuries after the piece was created.
