What does the inscription tell us?
The inscription on the ledge at the bottom of the portrait panel reads: ' Anno 1505 29 octobre ymago henrich VII franciege rege illustrussimi ordinata f hermanu rinck Ro regie [ ... ] missiarium'
From this we learn the portrait was painted on October 29th 1505 and was ordered by Hermann Rinck, ambassador of the King of the Romans (Holy Roman Emperor), Maximillian I. It is probable that it was painted as part of unsuccessful marriage negotiations between Henry VII and Margaret of Savoy (Emperor Maximilian's daughter) and sent to the Duchess to show a likeness of her potential husband. She may not have been impressed as the marriage never took place. But the painting remained in her possession.