The artwork titled “Studies on a great picture of Mary ‘St. Joseph'” is by Albrecht Dürer, a prominent figure in the Northern Renaissance art movement. The piece belongs to the “Picture of Mary” series and falls under the genre of religious painting. The art piece is reflective of Dürer’s deep engagement with religious themes, a common aspect of the Northern Renaissance, where artworks often depicted biblical scenes and characters with a high level of detail and a focus on human emotion.
The image you’ve provided appears to show a detailed study of an elderly man’s face, with a focus on capturing his expression and the textures of his skin and hair. This is likely a preparatory drawing for a larger work, evidencing Dürer’s meticulous approach to his subjects. The skillful use of light and shadow in the drawing brings out the character’s facial features, suggesting not only his physical appearance but also a deeper sense of individual personality or emotional state. The precision in the lines and the soft gradation of tones are characteristic of Dürer’s masterful draftsmanship.
