Description
In Portrait of Emperor Maximilian I, Albrecht Dürer presents imperial authority with remarkable restraint. A broad black hat and fur-trimmed robe frame the ruler’s pale face, while the plain green background concentrates attention on his profile and hands. The pomegranate he holds adds a vivid note of color to the subdued browns and blacks.
Painted in 1519, the portrait combines the dignity of an official likeness with close attention to age and individual character. The finely described features and quiet posture give Maximilian a presence that feels measured rather than theatrical. Dürer’s control of detail makes the smallest contrasts of skin, fur, and fabric part of the portrait’s appeal.
Learn about the printing process in our guide to giclée prints. Explore more Albrecht Dürer prints, or view Portrait of a Young Venetian Woman.
