Portrait of Erasmus (Dürer)

[1] It is today viewed by art historians as a pioneering capture of his moral integrity, intellectualism and scholarship, and is one of the most popular and recognisable portraits of the sitter.

As recorded in his dairies, Dürer sketched Erasmus a number of times in charcoal during these encounters, but it was six years before he completed the engraving.

The Latin and Greek script behind him is framed on the wall as if a picture, and reads, "This image of Erasmus of Rotterdam was drawn from life by Albrecht Dürer.

[11] According to Panofsky, "Dürer did his best to 'characterize' Erasmus by the paraphernalia of erudition and taste, with a charming bouquet of violets and lilies-of-the-valley testifying to his love of beauty and, at the same time, serving as symbols of modesty and virginal purity.

"[10] Panofsky concluded that Durer "failed to capture that elusive blend of charm, serenity, ironic wit, complacency, and formidable strength that was Erasmus of Rotterdam.

"[12] Erasmus himself was vocally unhappy with the final work, and in 1528, the year of Dürer's death, complained in a letter that the portrait did not physically resemble him.

[11] Martin Luther (1483-1546) also disliked the engraving, but having publicly fallen out with Erasmus at the time, dryly observed that "no one is really pleased with his own likeness".