The artwork “Portrait of Lukas van Leyden” is a creation by the renowned German artist Albrecht Dürer, dating back to 1521. This portrait belongs to the Northern Renaissance art movement and showcases Dürer’s skill in capturing the likeness and character of a person. Currently, the portrait is housed at the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille, in Lille, France. As per the genre, it is classified as a portrait.
In the image, the artwork appears as a detailed sketch that portrays a young man looking off to his left, giving the viewer a three-quarter view of his face. The character is wearing a beret-style hat that is prominent in many Northern Renaissance portraits, indicative of the style and fashion of the time. The hat is adorned with some sort of decoration, possibly a brooch or pin. His hair falls just above the shoulder, with bangs cut straight across his forehead.
His facial features are finely drawn with attention to detail, and his expression is pensive or contemplative. The eyes are particularly detailed, suggesting depth and thought. He is wearing clothing with visible folds and layers, suggesting a garment of some quality appropriate to his status, which is emphasized by an apparent fur lining or collar peaking through. The artist’s initials “AD” can be seen in the upper left corner of the drawing, confirming Dürer’s authorship.
The texture of the sketch demonstrates the artist’s use of a dry medium like charcoal or pencil, which allows for a range of tones that give the image volume and dimensionality. The draftsmanship displayed in the rendering of Lukas van Leyden’s features reflects Dürer’s mastery of portraiture and his ability to convey not just the physical attributes but also the character and mood of his subject.
