Portrait of Duerer's Mother, née Holper

Duerer painted his mother before setting out on his travels as a journeyman. The portrait of the father served as a pendant. Both panels remained the personal property of Duerer's until his death. In 1628 the Medici acquired the portrait of the father for their collection. The portrait of the mother, not identified as such until 1979, was not accorded the same high esteem by the collectors as it lacked the virtuosity of the later Duerer works. It is the first painting by Duerer, clearly influenced at this time by his teacher Wolgemut.