Portrait of a Young Man Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528)

The portrait presents a young man viewed from the chest up, set against a dark, undefined background. The composition is straightforward; the subject occupies nearly the entire frame, directing attention directly towards his face and upper torso. He gazes forward with an expression that appears both contemplative and slightly detached, avoiding direct engagement with the viewer.
The artist has rendered the young man’s features with considerable detail. His skin tone exhibits a subtle interplay of light and shadow, suggesting a careful observation of naturalistic qualities. The eyes are particularly noteworthy; their placement and gaze contribute to the overall impression of introspection. A slight asymmetry in the face adds a degree of realism, moving beyond idealized representations common in portraiture.
The man’s attire is significant. He wears a dark, possibly velvet, cap that sits low on his forehead, partially obscuring his hairline. The fur-lined collar and cuffs suggest a certain level of affluence or status. A strand of hair, also adorned with fur, falls down the front of his garment, adding a textural element to the composition. The clothing’s dark color contrasts sharply with the mans fair complexion and reddish-gold hair, further emphasizing these features.
The artist employed a muted palette dominated by browns, blacks, and creams. This restricted range contributes to a somber, dignified atmosphere. Subtle gradations in tone create depth and volume, particularly noticeable in the rendering of the fur and the folds of the clothing. The lighting appears to originate from an unseen source on the left side of the frame, casting shadows that define the contours of his face and body.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of a young man, the painting conveys a sense of quiet self-possession and perhaps even melancholy. The lack of background detail focuses attention entirely on the individual, suggesting a desire to portray him as an isolated figure, defined by his inner character rather than his surroundings or social context. The inscription at the top right corner – the year 1504 – provides a temporal anchor but also subtly reinforces the sense that this is a record of a specific moment in time, preserving the subject’s likeness for posterity. The overall effect is one of restrained elegance and understated psychological depth.