Bernhard von Reesen

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Bernhard von Reesen (1491 – 1521) was a successful merchant born to a patrician family in the Hanseatic city of Danzig (Gdańsk).Template:Sfn The Reesen name, with its prefix "von" (of), indicates that the family had its origins in the city of Rees.Template:Sfn<ref name="WGA">Template:Cite web</ref>

He was the son of Bernd von Reesen (c. 1460 – 1506) and Brigitte Proite (d. 1506) who were married in 1489.Template:Sfn His younger brother Heinrich (1497 – 1532) was also a merchant;Template:Sfn his eldest sister, Margarethe (b. 1490), married, in 1516, Hans (Johann) von Schwarzwald (1468 – 1521), an alderman of Danzig.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn<ref name="Rees">Template:Cite web Template:In lang</ref><ref name="Schw">Template:Cite web Template:In lang</ref>

Reesen was highly educated as was the custom for men of his background at that time. The wealthy businessman was evidently one of a circle of merchants with whom Albrecht Dürer of Nuremberg and his wife were in regular contact while the artist was in Antwerp.Template:Sfn In early 1521, when Reesen was about thirty, Dürer painted his portrait.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn The painting can be seen in the permanent exhibition of Old Masters in Dresden, Germany.<ref name="GAM">Template:Cite web</ref>

He died in October 1521, "tempore pestis" according to the chronicler, Stenzel Bornbach.Template:Sfn The day, place and cause of his death are unknown.Template:Sfn