The “Portrait of Albrecht Dürer the Elder” is an oil on panel painting created by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer in 1490. This artwork is a portrait genre piece that resides in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. Albrecht Dürer depicted his father with meticulous attention to detail, a characteristic of the Northern Renaissance art movement.
In this portrait, you can see an older man, presumably Albrecht Dürer’s father, as indicated by the painting’s title. He is depicted in profile, facing to the right side of the frame. The man has a solemn, contemplative expression on his face and looks off into the distance. He dons a dark fur-lined robe and a black hat, both rendered with careful attention to textures that convey their various materials. His facial features are detailed, with a prominent nose, folded skin, and introspective eyes, suggesting depth and personality. In his hands, he holds what appears to be a rosary, indicating a personal or spiritual moment. The background is subdued, with a greenish hue that allows the figure to stand out. The date “1490” and the artist’s monogram “AD” are inscribed in the upper left corner of the painting, serving as the painting’s signature and date. The realistic portrayal and intricate rendering of textiles and surfaces are typical of Albrecht Dürer’s works during the Northern Renaissance, a period known for its detailed and lifelike representations.