Florentine School, early 15th Century

This painting belonged to Konrad Adenauer who was the first chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany between 1949 and 1963.

Adenauer's achievements include the establishment of a stable democracy in West Germany and a lasting reconciliation with France. In 1963 he met the French president Charles de Gaulle on the occasion of the Élysée Treaty, or the Treaty of Friendship, at which point the reconciliation between the two countries was finally sealed.

Today Konrad Adenauer is also considered as the man who brought back stability and prosperity to his country, as well as a truly free and democratic society. In recognition of his efforts, in 1953 he was named ‘Man of the Year’ by Time Magazine.