Take a close look at the dagger in Dinteville's right hand. Can you see the letters AET SVEA and the number 29? They tell us that Dinteville was 29 years old when Holbein painted this portrait. Since Dinteville was born in 1504, The Ambassadors was painted sometime in 1533. But when in 1533? And why is the exact date so important? For answers to these questions go to The Top Shelf. For more clues about Dinteville, go to Dinteville's hat.