The “Portrait of Marx Ulstat and the beautiful princess in Antwerp” is an artwork by Albrecht Dürer, dating back to 1520. Crafted with pen, it reflects the Northern Renaissance art movement and is categorized as a portrait. Currently, the piece is housed at the Städel Museum, known as the Städelsches Kunstinstitut und Städtische Galerie, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
In the artwork, two figures are depicted side by side in a portrait style. On the left, there is a portrayal of a male figure wearing a wide-brimmed hat, ornately decorated with a prominent feather. His clothing is detailed with intricate patterns, suggesting a status of some wealth or significance. The facial expression is reserved, with a calm gaze directed toward the viewer. On the right is a female figure, traditionally identified here as a ‘beautiful princess’. She is wearing a headdress and her attire is simpler with less adornment than that of the male figure, while still retaining an air of elegance. Her expression is serene and her eyes appear to hold a direct connection with the viewer. The meticulous attention to detail in the features of both figures, a characteristic of Dürer’s work, suggests an intent to capture not just the physical appearance but also the persona of the subjects. The line work is fine and careful, indicating that the medium of pen was used to create this portrait with precision.
