Jakob Muffel

This portrait shows the Nuremberg patrician Jakob Muffel (probably 1471-1526) at the age of 55. It must have been painted in the early months of 1526, as this man, who was very highly regarded, died on the 26th April of that year. He was a close friend of Dürer's, and appeared as a witness when Dürer was discharging a debt on his newly acquired house. Muffel held a high office in Nuremberg where he was a councillor from 1502, before becoming mayor of the city in 1514. The subject is wearing a fur-trimmed greatcoat and a cap with three gold-embroidered decorative bands. He is looking to the side with a thoughtful expression on his face, trying not to look at the viewer. For this reason he seems reserved and pensive. The man's austere, conservative faith seems to be reflected in his features.