Where can I see Dürer's Self-Portrait at 28?

The work displayed at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, Germany, where it's one of the museum's most famous works.

Why is this self-portrait controversial?

Dürer depicted himself in a Christ-like frontal pose typically reserved for religious images. This bold choice reflected Renaissance ideas about the divine nature of artistic creativity.

What technique did Dürer use?

Dürer used oil on linden panel with extremely fine brushwork. The detailed rendering of his fur collar and hair demonstrates his unmatched technical skill.

Where Is Self-Portrait at 28? See It at This Museum

Albrecht Dürer painted this notable self-portrait in 1500, depicting himself at age 28 in a strikingly Christ-like pose. He faces the viewer directly, his right hand raised near his chest, with long curling hair framing his solemn face. The painting hangs at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.

This frontal composition was extremely unusual for portraiture of the time and was typically reserved for images of Christ. Dürer's choice suggests not blasphemy but rather the Renaissance belief that artistic creativity reflected divine creativity. The detailed rendering of his fur collar and each strand of hair demonstrates the technical mastery that made Dürer the most famous artist of the Northern Renaissance.