Portrait of the artist holding a thistle Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528)

The composition presents a half-length portrait of a man against a dark, undefined background. The subject is positioned centrally and gazes directly at the viewer with a somewhat melancholic expression. His head is slightly tilted, contributing to a sense of introspection rather than direct engagement.
Here we see a young man with reddish-blonde hair, partially concealed by a red turban or cap adorned with decorative fringes. A white shirt, layered beneath a green and orange doublet, reveals a glimpse of the collar and upper chest. The artist’s hands are prominently displayed; in his left hand he holds a thistle, while his right hand delicately grasps a pair of shears. The details of the hands – the fingernails, the texture of the skin – are rendered with considerable precision.
The thistle itself is significant. Its not merely an accessory but appears to be deliberately chosen as a symbolic element. Thistles are associated with adversity, pain, and protection; they represent resilience in harsh conditions. The shears suggest both creation and potential harm – tools used by the artist for his craft, yet capable of inflicting injury.
The overall effect is one of complex self-awareness. The man’s gaze suggests a certain vulnerability, while the thistle and shears introduce elements of defiance and artistic purpose. Theres an ambiguity in his expression; it could be interpreted as pride, sadness, or perhaps a combination of both. The dark background serves to isolate the figure, intensifying the focus on his face and hands, and contributing to the painting’s contemplative mood.
The artist has employed a naturalistic style with careful attention to detail, particularly in rendering textures – the softness of the hair, the sheen of the fabric, and the prickly nature of the thistle. The lighting is soft and diffused, highlighting the planes of the face and creating subtle shadows that enhance the sense of depth.