Description
Albrecht Dürer’s Self-Portrait of 1500 presents the artist frontally, with long curls, a direct gaze, and a hand resting against the fur of his coat. The nearly black background emphasizes the face and the carefully described hair. Small inscriptions flank the head, adding a personal record to the painting’s formal symmetry.
The pose recalls the solemn appearance of sacred images, giving the artist’s self-presentation unusual authority. At the same time, Dürer’s attention to individual features and textures keeps the portrait deeply specific. The balance of stillness, precision, and self-awareness makes this an arresting image of an artist considering his own identity.
Learn about the printing process in our guide to giclée prints. Explore more Albrecht Dürer prints, or view Portrait of Artist Holding a Thistle.
