Portrait of a Man

The Portrait of a Man is a masterful drawing executed by Albrecht Dürer in 1510. This intimate study exemplifies the technical rigor and precision characteristic of the Northern Renaissance, confirming Dürer’s status as the era’s foremost draftsman. The artist rendered the drawing using the difficult medium of silverpoint, which allows for virtually no correction, on carefully prepared brown paper.

The technique itself is highly specialized: Dürer employed the silver stylus to create precise, delicate lines, establishing the contours and modeling of the sitter’s face and clothing. This linear structure is dramatically enhanced by the application of white opaque pigment, which heightens the contrast and creates powerful highlights, giving the portrait a remarkable sense of three-dimensional volume and texture.

Created during the period of 1501 to 1550, this drawing places the artist at the height of his mature power. Dürer’s work during this era shaped the development of the German visual arts, blending detailed observation with intellectual complexity. While the identity of the sitter in this portrait is unknown, Dürer succeeded in capturing a vivid psychological presence through the man’s firm expression and direct gaze. Such drawings often served as preparatory studies for later oil paintings or etchings, but the high degree of finish here suggests it may have been intended as an independent work of art.

This exceptional piece confirms Dürer’s enduring reputation as a master of graphic arts. Today, the work resides within the distinguished collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a central example of early modern German portraiture. Due to its age and historical significance, high-resolution reproductions and prints of this powerful study are widely available in the public domain, ensuring its accessibility to scholars and enthusiasts worldwide.