Head of an African 1508

Albrecht Durer made this drawing with graphite on paper. The artist is engaging with a relatively simple medium, graphite, which is easily accessible and inexpensive, although it has a transformative power in the hands of someone like Durer. The drawing is made with very fine lines, and a complex layering of tones which give the drawing its texture, weight, and form. Look at the careful rendering of the man's hair. It is a detailed observation of each lock and curl, and a skilled understanding of how light falls on the surface. There is a question about the social context in which Durer made this image, and what a European artist's interest in an African man tells us about early modern global trade and colonialism. While it appears to be a straightforward portrait, it also demonstrates a significant encounter between cultures. Ultimately, paying attention to the materials and the way in which the artwork was created, enhances our understanding of the artwork and blurs the traditional lines between art, craft, and the broader world.