Self-portrait, Albrecht Durer, 1498

Description of the picture:

Self-portrait – Albrecht Durer. 1498. Oil on wood. 52×41

   Albrecht Durer (1471-1528) – one of the founders of Northern Renaissance art, a German painter, draftsman, engraver, art theorist. The views of the Italian humanists, which determined the artist’s zeal for exploring the monuments of antiquity, had a great influence on Dürer.

   Before us is one of the artist’s earliest self-portraits. Dürer portrayed himself in a light three-quarter perspective against the background of a window, beyond which a boundless landscape is visible. The figure occupies the entire canvas, the pose is measured, the gaze is concentrated, the light from the window illuminates the face, perfectly styled hair, hands, a unique suit. A light brown cloak wrapped in a twisted cord is thrown over his shoulder, and thin leather gloves are on his hands. On the shaded wall below the window level you can read in German: “I wrote it from myself. I was 20 6 years old. Albrecht Durer ».

   With this inscription, Dürer declares himself as an independent artist-creator. In Germany at that time he was still regarded as a craftsman, which was completely unacceptable for a painter who realized the scale of his own talent. In the self-portrait, we see a person of a complex spiritual organization, demonstrating his involvement in the chosen artistic world, who faithfully believes in his highest purpose as an artist."