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

Portrait of Oswolt Krel

1499
Oil on lime panel, 49,6 x 39 cm
Alte Pinakothek, Munich

Oswolt Krel (c. 1475 -1534) spent some time in Nuremberg at the time the portrait was created as the chief accountant of the "Großer Ravenburger Handelsgesellschaft," a commercial company He was known to be a pugnacious and impulsive person. Dürer characterized him as such with the forceful expression on his face and clenched fist. This impression is emphasized by the powerful red colour of the wall hanging and the composition in a tightly framed vertical format. The delicacy of colour and painted lightness of the landscape on the left is reminiscent of the watercolours produced during the first Italian journey.