Artwork
Philip Melanchthon
Philip Melanchthon is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1526 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:in plate, botom: 1526 / VIVENTIS. POTVIT. DVRERIVS. ORA. PHILIPPI / MENTEM. NON. POTVIT. PINGERE. DOCTA / MANVS / AD [artist's monogram] [Dürer could record the details of Philip's appearance from life, but his artist's hand could not grasp his spirit]; verso, lower center, in graphite by a later hand: B105; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: A882; verso, lower left, in graphite by a later hand: 19 [?]; verso, lower left, in graphite by a later hand: Melanchthon [?] [erased]; verso, lower center, in graphite by a later hand: 159; verso, lower center, in graphite by a later hand: EE; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: 636; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: 8003 [upside down]; verso, bottom right, in graphite by a later hand: 16159
- Markings
- Marked:none
About this work
The artist used tiny parallel lines to build up dark and light areas, this is called cross-hatching.
This is a black-and-white portrait of a bearded man with wavy hair. He’s wearing a dark collar that folds over his chest. The lines on his face and hair are drawn carefully, almost like scratches in the paper.
The text below says it was made in 1526. The artist used tiny parallel lines to build up dark and light areas, this is called cross-hatching.
Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
Overview
This 1526 engraving on laid paper, titled Philip Melanchthon, is a portrait by Albrecht Dürer.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts a bearded man with wavy hair, likely Philip Melanchthon, wearing a dark collar. The careful rendering of facial lines and hair suggests a detailed representation of the subject.
Technique & Style
The engraving employs cross-hatching, using tiny parallel lines to create dark and light areas, resulting in a detailed black-and-white image.
History & Provenance
Created in 1526, the print is now held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Albrecht Dürer spent his life in Nuremberg, a busy German city where artists traded prints like currency.
![Madonna and Child [obverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--madonna-and-child-obverse--d7b8ebf05d22ebe5-w320.webp)
![Lot and His Daughters [reverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--lot-and-his-daughters-reverse--b4ebf9b282faa17a-w320.webp)
