The artwork “Portrait of Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg” is a drawing by Albrecht Dürer, dated around 1519. It is an exemplary piece from the Northern Renaissance period, categorized under the portrait genre. The drawing is part of the collection of the Albertina museum located in Vienna, Austria. In the drawing, Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg is depicted in a three-quarter profile view.
In the artwork, the subject is shown with a slight turn of the head to the right, wearing a classic hat typical of the era and a high-necked garment with buttons. The facial features are meticulously detailed, with individual strands of hair visible and a realistic depiction of the textures of skin and clothing. Dürer’s mastery in rendering form and character is evident in the lifelike representation of the Cardinal, capturing both his physical appearance and a sense of his presence or demeanor. The drawing showcases the fine lines and shading techniques characteristic of Dürer’s skilled hand, revealing the artist’s precision and attention to the subtleties of human expression.
