Self-portraiture has been an important part of the repertoire of visual artists since the beginning of the Renaissance in the fifteenth century. While most self portraits aim to capture a realistic appearance of the painter, there has been a parallel trend that emphasizes a non-personal view of the self.
In this portrait, by the Northern Renaissance master, Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528), the painter has interpreted his likeness through the lens of Jesus Christ.
Several other self-portraits of Dürer are available on this site, as well as contextual information about other artists’ self-portraits as Christ. It is clear that Dürer was influenced by the pantocrator images of Christ as “ruler of all” or “sustainer of the world” (the hair and position of the fingers indicates this connection with the pantocrator image).
Discussion Questions:
- Is it the height of arrogance to paint oneself as Christ? What elements of humility can be seen in this kind of image?
- If Dürer was influenced by the pantocrator image, how does knowing that help you interpret what he was trying to do in his self-portrait? Dürer also included a Latin inscription on the painting (the translation is also here). Does the inscription change your opinion of the arrogance or humility of the painting? If so, how?
- One of the other Dürer portraits is of himself as the “man of sorrows.” Is this likeness more or less “authentic” than the one above? Is it more or less arrogant or humble?
- Why is it important for humans to see themselves in the guise of someone else? In what other ways do we do this?
Join the Conversation
We welcome comments on this or other related topics on the main Spotlight page
Return to Greg Straughn’s Spotlight page