The artwork “Portrait of Jacob Muffel” is an oil painting on panel by Albrecht Dürer from 1526, measuring 36 x 48 cm. This portrait is a representative piece of the Northern Renaissance art movement and is currently housed in the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, Germany. It is a genre of portrait, capturing the likeness and character of Jacob Muffel.
In this painting, Dürer has depicted Jacob Muffel, a prominent citizen of Nuremberg, with a meticulous attention to detail that is characteristic of Northern Renaissance portraiture. The sitter, Jacob Muffel, is shown in three-quarter view facing towards the left of the painting. His expression is solemn and introspective, indicative of his apparent character. Muffel is dressed in a dark garment with a fur collar, suggesting his status and wealth. He also dons a black hat with a striped, metallic band that provides a modest adornment to his otherwise austere attire.
The background is composed of a subdued blue-grey hue, serving as a neutral setting that further emphasizes the subject. Dürer’s skill in realism is evident in the texture of the fur, the fine folds of the clothing, and the intricate details of Muffel’s face, right down to the individual wrinkles and the subtle presence of stubble along his chin. The inscription at the top of the painting reveals the sitter’s name along with his age of 70 years (“AETATIS SVAE ANNO LXX” translates to “in the 70th year of his age”), as well as the year the portrait was made (“ANNO D[OMINI] 1526”).
This portrait not only showcases Dürer’s mastery as a portraitist but also provides insights into the individual identity and social standing during the Renaissance period.
