DÜRER, Albrecht
(b. 1471, Nürnberg, d. 1528, Nürnberg)

Study of a Man Aged 93

1521
Brush drawing on gray violet primed paper, 415 x 282 mm
Graphische Sammlung Albertina, Vienna

Dürer prepared the painting of St Jerome (Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon) in several sketches. His model was a 93 year-old man from Antwerp. In this naturalistic brush drawing, the old man is already leaning his head on his hand, but in contrast with the painting is engrossed in his studies. In a handwritten note above the picture Dürer informs us that: "The man was 93 years old and still healthy."