Bernhard von Reesen (1491 – 1521) was a successful merchant born to a patrician family in the Hanseatic city of Danzig (Gdańsk).^[1] The Reesen name, with its prefix "von" (of), indicates that the family had its origins in the city of Rees.^[1][2]

He was the son of Bernd von Reesen (c. 1460 – 1506) and Brigitte Proite (d. 1506) who were married in 1489.^[3] His younger brother Heinrich (1497 – 1532) was also a merchant;^[4] his eldest sister, Margarethe (b. 1490), married, in 1516, Hans (Johann) von Schwarzwald (1468 – 1521), an alderman of Danzig.^[5][6][7][8]

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.^[9] In early 1521, when Reesen was about thirty, Dürer painted his portrait.^[10][11] The painting can be seen in the permanent exhibition of Old Masters in Dresden, Germany.

He died in October 1521, "tempore pestis" according to the chronicler, Stenzel Bornbach.^[12] The day, place and cause of his death are unknown.^[13]