Portrait of a Man with Baret and Scroll 1521

Editor: Here we have Albrecht Durer's "Portrait of a Man with Baret and Scroll," painted in 1521. Looking at him, I can't help but think he looks a little...disapproving, perhaps? What do you see in his gaze? Curator: Disapproving is one word; "burdened" might be another. What strikes me isn't just his eyes but the almost gothic drama of light and shadow playing across that luxurious fur. And he's holding a scroll... a secret, a plea, a demand? Maybe it's his grocery list... Durer, ever the trickster. Does it suggest anything to you about his status? Editor: It certainly suggests wealth! The fur, the serious look...I’d guess he was someone of importance. Do you think the scroll gives any clue about that? Curator: Absolutely! In Durer’s time, possessing a scroll—being literate, commissioning a portrait—these were symbols of a particular class, an intellectual status, aspirations. Perhaps the weight of this status adds to his demeanor, this responsibility, to shape the world? Imagine holding that much parchment with expectations tied! He reminds me a bit of my cat when she has to get her vaccinations... she has the same look! Editor: That’s a great analogy. It's easy to think of historical figures as being so different from us, but in the end, we are not so different. It seems the scroll and hat make this artwork quite intricate. It really gives him dimension and perspective. Thanks for your personal insight! Curator: My pleasure. Next time we're at the cafe I will pick up the tab because your insights brightened my afternoon.