Who painted Portrait of Willibald Pirckheimer?

Portrait of Willibald Pirckheimer was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1562-01-01.

Where can I see Portrait of Willibald Pirckheimer?

Portrait of Willibald Pirckheimer is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of Willibald Pirckheimer?

Portrait of Willibald Pirckheimer is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Willibald Pirckheimer?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Willibald Pirckheimer are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Willibald Pirckheimer

Albrecht Dürer

Portrait of Willibald Pirckheimer is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Created in 1562, this oil on canvas portrait belongs to the Northern Renaissance tradition.

About this work

Technique & Style

Albrecht Dürer's Portrait of Willibald Pirckheimer is executed in oil paint on a panel support, a medium and substrate characteristic of the German Renaissance.

Albrecht Dürer's Portrait of Willibald Pirckheimer is executed in oil paint on a panel support, a medium and substrate characteristic of the German Renaissance. The work measures 18 cm in height and 12 cm in width, presenting a compact, intimate format typical of the artist's portraiture. As a portrait within the German Renaissance movement, the painting focuses on the depiction of the sitter, Willibald Pirckheimer, utilizing the oil technique to achieve the formal qualities associated with the genre.

History & Provenance

The painting is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. According to the Wikidata record for the work, it was previously owned by Maurits Cornelis van Hall before entering the museum's holdings.

No specific inventory or accession number, and no exhibition history, is recorded in the available sources.

Legacy

The portrait of Willibald Pirckheimer by Albrecht Dürer was created in 1562 as an oil painting on panel. It is housed in the Rijksmuseum and was originally owned by Maurits Cornelis van Hall. The work remains a key example of German Renaissance portraiture and continues to be studied for its representation of the humanist figure.

Overview

Created in 1562, this oil on canvas portrait belongs to the Northern Renaissance tradition. It presents a close‑up view of a man with dark, curly hair, a solemn expression, and a dark collar beneath a brown, fur‑trimmed robe. The plain, dark background isolates the sitter, directing attention to his face and the subtle modeling of light and shadow.

Subject & Meaning

The work portrays Willibald Pirckheimer, a prominent humanist from Nuremberg who was closely associated with Albrecht Dürer. Pirckheimer’s dignified demeanor and restrained attire reflect his intellectual stature and the humanist emphasis on learned virtue, while the portrait’s sober tone underscores the seriousness of his scholarly pursuits.