Johann, Duke of Saxony, Margrave of Meissen, and Landgrave of Thuringia (1498-1537). He was son and heir apparent of Duke Georg the Bearded (r. 1500-1539) of the Albertine branch of the Wettin dynasty. Johann is notable mainly for the religiopolitical consequences of his early death and failure to produce a successor. The Duke of Saxony is depicted here at half length against a red background. A cast shadow at the left adds a degree of depth to the otherwise compressed space.
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