Head of an apostle 1508

Albrecht Durer made this Head of an Apostle with black ink on paper. The material of paper, though simple, presents a smooth surface for Durer's precise and intricate line work. Look closely and you can see the controlled strokes, building up volume and texture in the apostle’s beard and hair. The stark contrast between the ink and paper allows for a remarkable sense of depth and realism, especially around the eye and brow bone. Durer was working at a time when printmaking was becoming a major industry, allowing for the wider dissemination of images. Drawings such as this were not only artworks in their own right, but served as studies for larger paintings and engravings, the kind of works that would secure his reputation. Considering this drawing in terms of material and process allows us to appreciate Durer's skill not just as an artist, but as a craftsman deeply engaged with the possibilities of his time.