Portrait of Willibald Pirckheimer in profile Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528)

The drawing presents a man depicted in strict profile view. The subject is positioned facing left, his gaze directed towards the same direction. He wears a distinctive hat, its structure complex and layered, rendered with meticulous attention to shading that suggests volume and texture. A dark band encircles the base of the hat, adding a visual anchor to the composition.
The artist has employed a technique emphasizing subtle gradations in tone to define the man’s features. The nose is prominent, slightly aquiline, while the mouth appears firm and resolute. Theres a slight downward curve to the lips that could be interpreted as seriousness or perhaps even melancholy. The ear is carefully observed, its contours accurately captured. A suggestion of hair is visible beneath the hat, hinting at receding hairline and age.
The neck is short and sturdy, leading down to the upper portion of what appears to be a simple garment – a high-necked tunic or shirt. The artist’s use of line work creates a sense of depth and three-dimensionality, particularly noticeable in the rendering of the hats folds and shadows across the face.
The overall impression is one of dignified restraint. The profile view itself suggests introspection and perhaps a degree of formality. It avoids direct engagement with the viewer, creating a distance that implies authority or intellectual reserve. The date 1503 inscribed at the bottom left corner provides a temporal context, placing the work within the early 16th century. This period was marked by humanist ideals and a renewed interest in classical portraiture, which this drawing seems to reflect through its emphasis on individual character and precise observation.

The absence of background elements focuses attention entirely on the subjects persona. The lack of color further contributes to the sense of solemnity and timelessness. It is likely that the work served as either a preliminary study for a larger portrait or was intended as an independent depiction meant to convey the sitter’s character and status.