The portrait titled “Portrait of Bernhard von Reesen” is a work by Albrecht Dürer from 1521, during the Renaissance period. This oil painting was created in Antwerp, Belgium, and it exemplifies the Renaissance style of portraiture. The artwork is part of the collection at the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden, Germany, and possesses the key characteristics of Renaissance art, such as a focus on realism and a detailed representation of the subject.
In the portrait, you can see a man facing slightly to the right, making direct eye contact with the viewer, which is a characteristic technique used during the Renaissance to engage the viewer. He has a solemn look on his face, and the lifelike representation of his features demonstrates Dürer’s skill in capturing human expression. The man is wearing a dark coat with a fur collar and a white ruffled shirt underneath, a style typical of the period. A large black hat rests on his head, which, along with his attire, indicates his social status. In his right hand, he is holding a piece of paper, which might be a letter or a document, hinting at his profession or interests. Dürer’s signature monogram can be seen in the upper left corner, signifying the authenticity of his work. The background is plain and in warm tones, focusing attention on the subject. The sense of three-dimensionality and the careful rendering of light and texture in the painting further display Dürer’s mastery as one of the foremost figures of the Northern Renaissance.
