The “Portrait of Johann Kleberger” is a work by Albrecht Dürer, painted in 1526. This oil on panel painting is part of the Northern Renaissance art movement, focusing on the genre of portraiture. The artwork is currently housed at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria.
The portrait features a close-up view of the subject, Johann Kleberger, framed within a circular border known as a tondo. The man appears to be in his late thirties, based on the inscription “AN.AETATIS SVAE XXXIX” which means “in the 39th year of his age.” His gaze confronts the viewer directly, with his head slightly turned. His short, dark, curly hair contrasts with his pale skin, and his eyes exhibit a calm but piercing look.
The background is dark, helping to draw attention to the subject’s face, which is rendered with meticulous detail, characteristic of Dürer’s skilled technique. Surrounding the inner portrait is a rim that includes the inscription of the subject’s name and the date of the painting in Roman numerals, along with Dürer’s distinctive monogram.
Furthermore, the artwork presents two coats of arms positioned on either side of the tondo near the bottom. These heraldic symbols likely pertain to the subject’s family or personal history. The presentation suggests an individual of significance or someone who wished to be memorialized with an air of prestige. The portrait encapsulates the Renaissance emphasis on individual identity and personal expression.
