Albrecht Durer Portrait Of A Young Venetian Woman

Portrait of a Young Venetian Woman is a small bust length oil on elm panel painting by the German artist Albrecht Duerer from 1505. It was executed, along with a number of other high society portraits, during his second visit to Italy.The woman wears a patterned gown with tied-on sleeves that show the chemise beneath. Her hair frames her face in soft waves, and back hair is confined in a small draped cap. The work’s harmony and grace is achieved through its mixtures of tones, from her pale, elegant skin and reddish blond hair and to her black-and pearl necklace and highly-fashionable patterned dress; all of which are highlighted against a flat black background. It is similar in pose and colour tone to his c 1507 A German Woman from Venice, while at least two studies of Venetian women are known, both of which are very daring. One shows the model with a plunging neckline, the other with bare shoulders.

During his visit to Italy Duerer became fascinated by and befriended Giovanni Bellini, an established master when Duerer was still a relative unknown outside of Germany. The Franconian artist’s influence can be seen in this work’s soft modeling, dramatic lighting and vivid colours and tones.

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