The artwork titled “Portrait of Katharina Furlegerin with her Hair Down” was created by the master artist Albrecht Dürer in 1497. It is executed in oil on canvas and is a remarkable representation from the Northern Renaissance period. This portrait is currently housed at Städel, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Characterized by its genre, the painting is a testament to both the artistic ethos of the time and Dürer’s exceptional skill.
In the artwork, the subject is depicted with a serene and introspective countenance, gazing slightly downward with a gentle, almost melancholic expression. The lady’s hair is loose and flows over her shoulders in voluminous, wavy locks, which demonstrates Dürer’s attention to detail and his ability to render texture. The hair is contained by a delicate headband, adding a subtle ornamentation that contrasts with her otherwise simple attire.
The virtuosity of Albrecht Dürer is evident in the precise rendering of her folded hands and the intricate detail visible in the folds of her dark green dress. The subject’s hands are clasped in a gesture that suggests a moment of quietude or possibly prayer. Her clothing consists of a fine, light undergarment with a translucent neckline, accompanied by a rosary, hinting at her piety. The restraint in color and the emphasis on linearity is characteristic of Dürer’s style and exemplifies the Northern Renaissance’s focus on detailed observation and naturalism.
The composition is posed against a flat, unadorned background that serves to push the figure to the fore, concentrating the viewer’s attention on the subject’s features and expression. Dürer’s monogram and the year of the painting’s completion are inscribed in the upper left corner, serving as a testament to the artist’s pride in his work and his awareness of his growing reputation as a leading figure in European art. This portrait is a compelling study in character and technique, marking it as a significant piece within Dürer’s oeuvre and the broader context of Renaissance portraiture.