Heinrich Rantzau (1526-1598), German astrologer and author. Rantzau is shown here in armour with coats-of-arms. The year at left is given as 1584, while the text at right gives his age as 50. Rantzau was an associate of Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe. Rantzau was a wealthy book collector and provided patronage to other scholars. His wealth came from trading interests in Lubeck and elsewhere in the Duchy of Holstein in northern Germany. Rantzau's major work was 'Tractatus astrologicus de genethliacorum thematum' (1597). Artwork from 'Hypotyposis arcium, palatiorum, librorum, pyramidum, obeliscorum' (1591) by Peter Lindeberg.