Portrait of Hans Pfaffrot of Gdansk 

Albrecht Durer made this drawing of Hans Pfaffrot of Gdansk in 1529 using pen and ink. Durer lived in a society undergoing significant religious and social change, with the rise of the Reformation challenging the Catholic Church's authority. Here we see Durer's unparalleled skill in capturing the textures and details of Pfaffrot's clothing, as the crisp lines create a rich visual experience. The subject exudes self-assuredness and worldly experience, befitting a man of standing from the thriving port city of Gdansk. The artwork is a window into the social fabric of the time, reflecting the increasing importance of trade and the rise of a merchant class, where one's identity was significantly shaped by their profession and place within the community. The portrait invites us to consider how personal identity and status were presented and perceived in the context of 16th-century society. It’s a reminder that even in the details of a single drawing, we can find echoes of broader cultural and economic shifts.