Head of an old man in profile 1505

This drawing of an old man's head in profile was created by Albrecht Dürer. The portrait presents us with a study in form and texture. Look at the use of line. Dürer employs a precise, delicate hatching to model the contours of the face and the drapery of the headdress. Notice the way the light falls. The detailed lines describe the wrinkled skin and the folds of fabric. The effect is a profound sense of depth and volume. Dürer's skill lies in his capacity to render not just a likeness, but a detailed observation of the materiality of age. He doesn't flatter his subject. He presents him with stark realism. The profile view allows for an exploration of form, reducing the figure to its most essential lines. The formal qualities of this work, its lines and textures, invite viewers to look beyond the surface. The drawing prompts a reflection on the nature of representation itself.