Georg Gisze (1532). Oil on panel. 97 x 86. Georg Giese born 2 April 1497 in Danzig, died on 3 February 1562 in Danzig, was a Hanse merchant. As a member of the Hanseatic League Giese also worked in London where he was portrayed by Hans Holbein the Younger in 1532. After returning to Danzig in 1535 he married Christine Kruger, daughter of a prestigious Danzig citizen. His Danzig-based Patrician family, which included Albrecht Giese, bishop Tiedemann Giese etc., had come originally from Cologne. He also appears on the 100000 mark note. When Georg was stationed in the 1530s at the London branch of the Hanse, the Steelyard, the members of the Steelyard sat for a famous series of portraits by Hans Holbein the Younger. The Holbein portrait commissioned by Giese, titled Der Kaufmann Georg Gisze, identifies him by his clothing and instruments as a merchant. The painting also depicts him with carnations, at that time symbolizing his engagement. Also, a plaque depicted over his head identifies him, and states that it shows him in his 34th year, in 1532. He is holding a letter he received from his brother, written in Middle Saxon: Dem Erszamen/Jorgen gisze to lunden/in engelant mynem/broder to handen.