Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg ("Large Cardinal")

Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg ("Large Cardinal") is a monumental 1523 engraving created by the master German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. Executed on laid paper, this detailed print is one of Dürer’s most impressive and complex portrait studies, demonstrating his absolute command of the burin. The work captures Cardinal Albrecht, one of the most powerful and controversial figures of the early 16th century, in his formal regalia. Dürer had a close professional relationship with the Cardinal, who served as the Archbishop-Elector of Mainz and was a pivotal player during the tumultuous rise of the Reformation within the Holy Roman Empire. This detailed portrait stands as a testament to the artist’s ability to render both psychological depth and luxurious material texture through the exacting lines of engraving.

Created during the critical 1501 to 1550 period, when religious upheaval dominated German political life, this piece reflects the high status of its sitter. The highly finished detail of the Cardinal’s robes, the meticulous rendering of his biretta, and the inclusion of his coat of arms emphasize his wealth and authority. While prints of this scale and detail were complex to produce, Dürer’s dedication to the medium ensured the widespread circulation of his images among elite collectors across Europe. Dürer produced several important portrait prints during this phase of his career, but this particular depiction is noted for its scale and formal intensity, earning its common title, the "Large Cardinal."

As a leading figure of the German Renaissance, Dürer’s influence on subsequent generations of artists cannot be overstated. Today, this significant early modern print is preserved in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The high technical quality of this specific piece cements its status among the finest examples of the artist’s output. The accessibility of such historical prints has ensured that works like Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg continue to influence researchers and the public; high-quality impressions of this masterpiece are often digitized, making them accessible in the public domain for study and appreciation.