Portret van Albrecht Dürer 1550

Editor: This is "Portrait of Albrecht Dürer" by Melchior Lorck, an engraving from 1550, currently held in the Rijksmuseum. The sheer detail achieved through engraving is striking; Dürer's hair alone is a cascade of meticulously rendered curls. What is your interpretation of this portrait's visual impact? Curator: The image demands a rigorous examination of its formal elements. Observe the contrast between the stark lines defining Dürer's profile and the softer, almost ethereal treatment of his hair. This deliberate juxtaposition creates a visual tension, a play between the tangible and the less so. Note also the inscription below, its inclusion further solidifying the structural integrity of the piece. How does the inscription's placement affect your understanding of the portrait? Editor: It acts as a foundation, grounding the portrait and perhaps offering additional layers of meaning. I'm curious about the choice to depict Dürer in profile; does that have specific connotations? Curator: Precisely. The profile view, common in portraiture of this era, emphasizes the subject's nobility and intellectual prowess. Notice the artist’s use of line, the careful hatching that creates volume and depth, yet also contributes to the overall flatness characteristic of engraving. This flatness emphasizes the picture plane, calling attention to the artwork as an object in itself. Are you sensitive to the material reality of this print? Editor: Now that you point it out, definitely. I appreciate how your analysis focuses on the artistic choices rather than just the historical context. I’ll pay more attention to these formal relationships going forward. Curator: A refined eye recognizes intention. Each stroke, each tonal variation, speaks to a deliberate artistic strategy.