Portrait of a Man 1504

Albrecht Durer rendered this portrait of a man with oil paints. The subject emerges against a vibrant red backdrop; his garments, painted in dark, brooding tones, set a sombre mood. Durer skillfully manipulated light and shadow to sculpt the man’s features, thus creating a compellingly life-like representation. What makes this portrait stand out is its ability to capture a certain intellectual atmosphere, particularly evident in the subject’s gaze and posture. The composition, restricted to a simple bust, focuses viewer attention on the individual's character rather than extraneous detail. The textural differences are also notable; the soft fur collar contrasts with the tight head covering, adding layers of visual interest. The painting shows Durer's interest in depicting real people and also points to shifting cultural ideas around individualism and representation during the Renaissance. The enduring fascination with this work lies in its ability to capture human complexity.