The artwork titled “Portrait of a Girl” was created by the distinguished artist Albrecht Dürer in the year 1515. Crafted using charcoal on paper, this piece belongs to the Northern Renaissance art movement, a period characterized by a profound interest in precise details and a naturalistic style of representation. The genre of this work is portraiture, highlighting the ability of artists of that era to capture the essence of an individual’s character and presence. Currently, this artwork resides in the Kupferstichkabinett Berlin in Berlin, Germany.
“Portrait of a Girl” showcases a young female subject, depicted in profile with her head turned slightly towards the viewer. The delicacy of the charcoal medium allows for nuanced shading and texture, which Dürer has masterfully employed to render the softness of the subject’s skin, the intricate details of her attire, and the fine strands of her hair that are neatly braided and bound. The subject wears a headband that pulls her hair back from her forehead, revealing a calm and contemplative expression. Her eyes are downcast, which may suggest a moment of introspection or modesty. The precision in the artwork reveals Dürer’s exemplary skill in capturing the subtleties of the human face, a testament to his reputation as one of the most talented artists of the Northern Renaissance. The artist has included his monogram “AD” and the date of the piece’s completion near the top edge, succinctly identifying his authorship and the period of creation.
