"Circle of the Renaissance Portrait: Patrician in a Fur Cape"

(1554 Nuremberg – 1630 same place). Circle of Renaissance Portrait of a Patrician in a Fur Cloak. A distinguished half-length portrait of a man with a rounded, stylish, thick beard, wearing a black double-breasted jacket with silver buttons, over which is draped a black cloak trimmed with light-colored fur. A valuable white neck collar (also known as a ruff, cravat, frill, dutton collar, or millstone collar) clearly separates the particularly well-rendered head and body. On his head, he wears a matching black hat, while in his left hand he holds a white handkerchief with lace trim. The high status of the man is reflected by the prominently featured cylindrical fur cap, which has a slit showing the lining in the lower left corner. A distinct indication of this man’s dignity is further emphasized by the coat of arms in the upper right corner. Above his age—as is often seen in Renaissance and Baroque portraits—there is an inscription providing information: “His age 65 years 2 weeks. ( / ) 1607.” Oil on canvas, relined; 87.5 cm x 75 cm. Framed. Circle of Lorenz Strauch (1554–1630). Dated 1607.