Durer’s Dad — Drew Burgess

“In 1636 the city of Nuremberg presented Charles 1 with a pair of portraits by its most famous citizen, Albrecht Dürer: a self portrait and a portrait of the artist’s father.” —National Gallery of London

Albrecht Durer’s father was 70 when the portrait was completed. It is now in the National Gallery of London and is attributed to Durer, it may be copy although it is thought to be original—the details in the face have the mark and method of the painter.

I am writing and considering the terms Dad and Father.

My feeling is that Durer was painting his ‘Dad’. When a family member poses for an artist it is intimate and generous. The generosity resides on both sides, painter and sitter. I believe that great portraits balance what artists see, wish to see, over-see, and under-see. Portraiture is a great and special art.

The gaze of Durer’s Dad is tender to my eye. When one paints there is a modeling of the architecture of a face with emphasis and de-emphasis of the elements, it is subtle. An eyebrow can be overstated with a stroke, the turn of a lip can be a bit too full, or the distance between eye and ear too far. Strokes and strokes, adjustments, and sensitivity. In the process we may feel the expression of the sitter yet it is also the artist giving us something.

Durer’s father, a goldsmith, saw potential in his son’s young ability, it is the reason for my interest. I saw the painting a few years ago and it struck me as a reminder of my Dad, his encouragement. Also, there is a portrait of his Dad in the Uffizi’s collection which inspired me as well—seeing both works in person.

Young artists in their pursuit, and Dads, it is a special relationship, the role of fathers such as Leopold Mozart, José Ruiz Blasco (Picasso’s father), Camille Pisarro, or N. C. Wyeth. Artistic talent is cultivated, nurtured and grown. Today I am appreciating family and friends for encouraging artistic pursuit.

by Drew Burgess
Drew Burgess is an art professor at the College of Alameda of the Peralta Community College District of California.

Works cited:
Attributed to Albrecht Dürer, 1471–1528
'The Painter's Father', 1497, Oil on lime, 51 x 40.3 cm, NG1938, accessed June 5, 2025,https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/research/research-resources/research-papers/close-examination/the-painter-s-father

Cite this page:
Drew Burgess, “Durer’s Dad”, June 5, 2025, https://www.drewburgess.art/museum-visits/2025/6/5/durers-dad