Portrait of Heinrich V (1479-1552), Duke of Mecklenburg

This portrait of the German nobleman Henry of Mecklenburg was painted by the Venetian artist Jacopo de’ Barbari. Henry’s cloak has a pattern of battleaxes and tree trunks. There is also an axe hanging on his chain. Yet Henry’s nickname was ‘the Peaceful’. His hat is decorated with ostrich feathers, strings of pearls and cords with golden rings. Although it looks rather eccentric, Henry’s outfit was the height of fashion among the German nobility of the day.