A favorite self portrait painting hanging at the Louvre by German artist Albrecht Dürer. It is a painting from 1493 . He was 22 years old when he painted, “Portrait of the Artist holding a Thistle" At the time he would follow the tradition of young artists embarking on a guild tour of Germany to study the work of various artists and printmakers. The portrait was originally painted in oil on vellum then pasted on canvas several centuries later. “The face still has some of the childish features seen in his early drawing of a Self-Portrait," says the Louvre Web site, "but the manly neck, the strong nose, and the vigorous hands are already those of an adult”. The fine detail in the prickles of the thistle shows his skills as both an excellent engraver and also his early training as a goldsmith. There are two theories to the meaning of the painting. Some believe it was an engagement present for Agnes Frey. Dürer would marry her the following year. "In fact," again says the Louvre, "the thistle held by the artist is called 'Mannstreu' in German. This also means 'husband's fidelity.” The main problem in this hypothesis is that Dürer may not have been aware of his impending marriage, which had been arranged by his father. The other theory is that the thistle represents the crown of thorns from Christ's Passion. The artist's inscription(very hard to see in this photo) reads, "Things happen to me as it is written on high." . . . #Paris #louvre #selfportrait #painting #albrectdurer #parisjetaime #parislife #parisart #parismonamour #parismaville #parisgram #parislove #pariscity #villedeParis #Iloveparis #parisfind (at Musée du Louvre) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDt3Jp2qJjO/?igshid=ubuicrlncotm
