The Duisburg merchant Dirck Tybis

Holbein employs a finely detailed approach, using precise brushwork to model textures—from the sheen of the fur lining to the polished surface of the desk. Subtle contrasts of light and shadow give the composition a three‑dimensional quality, while the restrained palette of deep hues enhances the sense of material richness.

The portrait was produced during Holbein’s mature period, when he was active in Basel and had established a reputation across Europe. After changing hands over the centuries, the painting entered the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s holdings, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s Northern Renaissance collection.