German School, first half of the 16th Century

The panel support has been cradled. The panel is flat but there are signs of a line of opening stress cracks appearing in the left half of the picture running down in a line through the hat to the left wrist of the sitter. There is an old vertical join in the panel which runs down the panel in the centre, but this has not re-opened. There is a small (7 cm) vertical split running up from the bottom edge in the lower right hand corner. The painting has quite recently been cleaned and restored and is generally in good condition, though both face and background are a little worn and the latter a little uneven upper right. Inspection under ultra violet light reveals careful retouching to the left side of the sitter's face, to a line of old cracks lower left and to a diagonal scrape in the left background. The details of costume and hands all seem well preserved. Offered with a modern giltwood sgraffito style frame in good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Born in 1506, Louis II became king of Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia. In 1515 he married  Mary of Austria (1505-1558), granddaughter of Emperor Maximilian I. He was killed at the Battle of Mohács in 1526, the year this picture was painted.