This picture shows Albrecht of Brandenburg in profile. The legend in Latin above the portrait reads: "Thus were his eyes, his cheeks, his features at the age of 34 in 1523". The Latin inscription below the portrait is engraved on a tablet resembling a Roman tombstone as though it were intended to be a commemorative plaque and reads: "Albrecht by Divine Mercy Presbyter Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, Titular of St. Chrysogonus, Archbishop of Mainz and Magdeburg, Primate Elector of the Empire, Administrator of Halberstadt, Margrave of Brandenburg".

The artist deliberately depicted the strong-featured, but small-headed Cardinal wearing a large cap. In the background is the cardinal's coat-of-arms indicating his aristocratic background and featuring griffins. A sword, a crucifix and a archbishop's crosier symbolise his spiritual and temporal power. The Cardinal's broad-brimmed hat with its decorative tassels has been placed on the crucifix. Dürer's monogram is behind the model's back.

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