| Hans Holbein the Younger |
Hans Holbein the Younger, 1497-1543, was born in Augsburg into a family
of artists, and his first art lessons were from his father. In 1515, the he went to
Basel, Switzerland with his brother Ambrosius and became friends with the Dutch
humanist Erasmus, illustrating some of his work. He also painted portraits and
designed stained glass windows. One of his most noted designs was for a series
of 41 woodcuts later called "The Dance of Death." Although he made Basel his
home, he also travelled to northern Italy and France.
of artists, and his first art lessons were from his father. In 1515, the he went to
Basel, Switzerland with his brother Ambrosius and became friends with the Dutch
humanist Erasmus, illustrating some of his work. He also painted portraits and
designed stained glass windows. One of his most noted designs was for a series
of 41 woodcuts later called "The Dance of Death." Although he made Basel his
home, he also travelled to northern Italy and France.
By 1526, Basel was home to religious riots and the city imposed strict censorship. This had a severe
impact on artists, and Holbein left Basel for England late in 1526 at 28 years old with a letter of
introduction from Erasmus to English statesman Sir Thomas More. He stayed two years. In 1528,
he returned to Basel, where he painted portraits and murals and publicly took up Protestantism. In
1532, he left his wife and children forever, in spite of generous offers to reunite them, and traveled
again to London, where he became court painter to Henry VIII. His services were much desired, and
he produced more than 100 portraits. He also designed the king's clothing and made inventory
drawings of items used by the royal household.
impact on artists, and Holbein left Basel for England late in 1526 at 28 years old with a letter of
introduction from Erasmus to English statesman Sir Thomas More. He stayed two years. In 1528,
he returned to Basel, where he painted portraits and murals and publicly took up Protestantism. In
1532, he left his wife and children forever, in spite of generous offers to reunite them, and traveled
again to London, where he became court painter to Henry VIII. His services were much desired, and
he produced more than 100 portraits. He also designed the king's clothing and made inventory
drawings of items used by the royal household.
In 1539, Henry VIII had enough confidence in Holbein that when
he was thinking of marrying Anne of Kleve he sent Holbein on a
mission to the continent to visit her and execute a realistic portrait
for his scrutiny. In 1543, Holbein was still in London after 11 years
and working on another portrait of the king when he died, a victim
of the London plague. Holbein was one of the greatest portraitists
and most exquisite draftsmen of all time.
he was thinking of marrying Anne of Kleve he sent Holbein on a
mission to the continent to visit her and execute a realistic portrait
for his scrutiny. In 1543, Holbein was still in London after 11 years
and working on another portrait of the king when he died, a victim
of the London plague. Holbein was one of the greatest portraitists
and most exquisite draftsmen of all time.
