Head of a Young Man 1507

Albrecht Altdorfer made this tiny etching, "Head of a Young Man," in sixteenth-century Germany, a time of immense social and religious upheaval. Looking closely, we see how Altdorfer uses the graphic language of the printmaker – the density and direction of the etched lines – to model the young man’s face and hair. But what does this portrait mean? Was it a study for a painting? Or a meditation on ideal beauty? Perhaps the sitter was someone known to Altdorfer, a member of his social circle in the free imperial city of Regensburg. We can also consider the historical context. This was the time of the Reformation, with its challenge to established authority. Altdorfer's art often reflects a deep engagement with his changing world. To understand the image fully, we can consult historical records, letters, and other artworks from the period to illuminate the relationship between art and the social structures of its time.