Agnes Dürerin in Dutch Tracht 1521

Albrecht Dürer created this drawing of 'Agnes Dürerin in Dutch Tracht' using pen and ink. The overall composition, dominated by the sitter’s large head and shoulders, evokes a sense of immediacy and presence. Dürer's meticulous use of line to define form, model light and shadow, and create texture is evident in this work. The artist employed hatching and cross-hatching to build up tonal values, lending depth and volume to the figure. The lines are more densely packed in areas of shadow, such as beneath the chin and around the eyes, and more loosely spaced in areas of highlight, such as the forehead and cheekbones. This skillful manipulation of line creates a subtle interplay of light and shadow that enlivens the image and captures the sitter's likeness. The drawing is an example of Dürer’s mastery of graphic media and his keen observation of the world around him. The formal qualities invite us to contemplate the relationship between the artist, the model, and the society in which they lived.