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

Portrait of Maximilian I

1518
Charcoal and chalk on paper, 381 x 319 mm
Graphische Sammlung Albertina, Vienna

On 28 June 1518 Dürer had sketched Maximilian during the Imperial Diet at Augsburg. He inscribed the drawing: `This is Emperor Maximilian, whom I, Albrecht Dürer, portrayed up in his small chamber in the tower at Augsburg on the Monday after the feast day of John the Baptist in the year 1518.' In the relatively informal sketch Dürer captured a hint of the fatigued resignation of the 59 year-old ruler.

The drawing has suffered: the colour added to the face by another hand is now washed out, but has left behind large disfiguring traces.

This is a preliminary study for the paintings in Vienna and Nuremberg.