Head of an old man 1521

Albrecht Dürer made this drawing of an old man’s head in 1521, using charcoal and white heightening on paper. Now, Dürer could really work a piece of charcoal. Look at the textures he creates – the coarse fabric of the hat, the furrows of the brow, and especially the profuse curls of the beard. The whirly marks of the charcoal almost give the impression of a lathe-turned object. The nature of charcoal, its brittleness and relative uncontrollability, is critical here. Dürer worked with the material, rather than simply using it as a means to an end. There is a palpable sense of the artist's hand – not only in the expert rendering of light and shadow, but in the very application of the medium. This reminds us that drawing is not just about what is depicted, but how the depiction is achieved through physical, material engagement. This close attention to materials and process is crucial to understanding the work, challenging any high/low distinction between fine art and craft.