An Eastern Ruler Seated on His Throne

c. 1495

Albrecht Dürer

Associated Names
Albrecht Dürer
Artist, German, 1471 - 1528
The artwork shows an Eastern ruler seated on a throne, with the full body visible. The ruler is positioned facing forward. He has a long, flowing beard and is wearing a headdress adorned with intricate patterns. His attire is decorated with details, including jewelry and embellishments. The ruler is holding a large sword in his right hand, which rests on the ground, and his left hand is placed on the armrest of the throne. The throne itself is ornate, with detailed carvings and embellishments. The background is plain. The artwork is executed in a linear style, emphasizing the details of the ruler’s clothing and accessories.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and black ink on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    overall: 30.6 x 19.7 cm (12 1/16 x 7 3/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1972.22.1.b

Associated Artworks

A crowned, bearded man sits facing us on a throne, and he holds a sword and orb in this vertical drawing, which was made using black ink on parchment-colored paper. A three-peaked, jeweled crown nestles in a twisted turban on the man’s head. He faces us but his eyes look to our right, and he has a long, hooked nose and flowing hair and beard. A band of ornate jewels could be a collar resting over his shoulders and on his chest, or it could be that the edge of his robe is elaborately decorated. His robe has voluminous, flowing long sleeves and his garment is decorated with bands of jewels and fringe at the shoulders, hem, and down the front. His left hand, on our right, rests on a round orb about the size of an orange, and he holds the hilt of a jewel-encrusted sword upright with his other hand so the tip of the sword rests on the ground. The artist signed the work with his initials at the bottom center: “AD.”

An Eastern Ruler Seated on His Throne

Albrecht Dürer
1495

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

W.Y. Ottley; Sir Thomas Lawrence (Lugt 2445); S.G. Liesching, Stuttgart; Count A.N. Thibeaudeau; purchase privately (via R. Light); purchase by NGA, 1972.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1974

  • NGA Recent Acquisitions 1974, no. 3.

1978

  • Master Drawings from the Collection of the National Gallery of Art and Promised Gifts, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 1978, pp. 20-21.

1984

  • German Drawings from a Private Collection. The British Museum, London and tour (Washington only), hors de catalogue.

1991

  • Circa 1492: Art in the Age of Exploration, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1991-1992, no. 109, repro.

1997

  • Six Centuries/Six Artists, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1997.

2003

  • Albrecht Dürer, Albertina, Vienna, 2003, no. 22, repro.

2013

  • Albrecht Dürer: Master Drawings, Watercolors, and Prints from the Albertina. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2013 (exhibited hors catalogue).

Bibliography

2013

  • Robison, Andrew. "The Drawings of Albrecht Dürer." In exh. cat. Albrecht Dürer: Master Drawings, Watercolors, and Prints from the Albertina. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2013: 25, repr. p. 22 (color).

Inscriptions

lower center in monogram, partly cut: AD

Wikidata ID

Q64534017

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