Bernhard von Reesen

Albrecht Dürer produced this status portrait of a young man on his travels through the Netherlands in 1521. The name on the letter in his hands is difficult to read but could be identified with Bernhard von Reesen thanks to an entry in Dürer’s diary. Reesen was a successful merchant, born in Danzig (Gdansk) and living in Antwerp, who had his portrait painted at the age of thirty. Dürer, who was familiar with Netherlandish portraiture but also the Venetian art of the portrait, depicted Reesen in three-quarter profile as a close head-and-shoulders portrait against a red background. His hands and shoulders are cut off; the view concentrates on the head with its large beret and bright face. Gazing out of the picture, Reesen, who died that year, is depicted as contemplative.