This portrait is a late work by Ambrosius Holbein -- elder brother of the renowned portraitist Hans Holbein -- who died very young. The name of the sitter is still unknown, because the monogram on the beret has not been identified, but his attire proves he belongs to high society. The Classical architecture in the background not only gives this portrait great formality, but also emphasizes the young man's erudition. Despite the evident influence of the Italian Renaissance, the artist is typically German in the thoroughness with which he depicts details.