#47 - Hans Holbein the Younger ~ Henry VIII ~ 1540
#47 - Biographical Sketch of Hans Holbein the Younger
Hans Holbein the Younger (1497–1543) was a German artist and printmaker who worked
in a Northern Renaissance style. He is best known as one of the greatest portraitists of the 16th
century. He also produced religious art, satire and Reformation propaganda, and made a
significant contribution to the history of book design. He is called "the Younger" to distinguish
him from his father, Hans Holbein the Elder, an accomplished painter of the Late Gothic school.
Born in Augsburg, Bavaria, Hans received his first lessons in art from his father. In 1515
the younger Holbein went to Basel, Switzerland, with his brother, Ambrosius. Among the many
scholars living in Basel at that time was the famous Dutch humanist, Erasmus, who befriended
the young artist and asked him to illustrate his satire, Encomium Moriae (The Praise of Folly).
Erasmus being a humanist meant he was a scholar of the Renaissance who pursued the study of
the cultures of ancient Rome and Greece, and emphasized secular, individualistic, and critical
thought. Holbein also illustrated other books, including Martin Luther's German translation of
the Bible. In addition he painted pictures and portraits and, like his father, designed stainedglass windows.
About 1525 the factional strife that accompanied the Reformation made Basel a difficult
place for an artist to work. In 1526 Holbein, carrying a letter of introduction from Erasmus to
the English statesman and author Sir Thomas More, set out for London. He met with a
favorable reception in England and stayed there for two years. In 1528 he returned to Basel,
where he painted portraits and murals for the town hall. In 1532 he left his wife and children
there and traveled once again to London.
Hans worked for the twin founts of patronage, Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell. By
1535, he was King's Painter to King Henry VIII. In this role, he produced not only portraits and
festive decorations but designs for jewelery, and other precious objects. His portraits of the
royal family and nobles are a vivid record of a brilliant court in the momentous years when
Henry was asserting his supremacy over the English church.
An old account of Hans' services at court relates that he painted the portrait of the king,
"life size, so well that everyone who looks is astonished, since it seems to live as if it moved its
head and limbs." In 1539, when Henry was thinking of marrying Anne of Cleves, he sent
Holbein to paint her portrait. In 1543 Holbein was in London working on another portrait of the
king when he died, a victim of the plague.
Holbein's art was prized from early in his career. Holbein's art has sometimes been called
realist, since he drew and painted with a rare precision. His portraits were renowned in their
time for their likeness. Holbein was never content, however, with outward appearance. He
embedded layers of symbolism, allusion, and paradox in his art, to the lasting fascination of
scholars.
#47 - Additional Works by Hans Holbein the Younger
Self-Portrait. Colored drawing on paper. Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Italy.
The Ambassadors. 1533. Oil on wood. National Gallery, London, UK
Solomon Receiving the Homage of the Queen of Sheba. c.1535. Silverpoint, pen and brush on vellum. Royal Collection, Windsor, UK.
Portrait of Jane Seymour. 1537. Oil on wood. Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria
Portrait of Sir Thomas More. 1527. Oil on wood. The Frick Collection, New York, USA
#47 - Questions about Hans Holbein the Younger
1) What is the meaning of a humanist?
a) someone who studied the anatomy of humans
b) someone who pursued the study secular, individualistic, and critical thought
c) someone who declared the theory of evolution as the beginnings of humans
d) someone who was known for having a splendid sense of humor
2) Why do you think King Henry the VIII sent Hans Holbein to paint the portrait of Anne
of Cleves in 1539?
a) Henry was thinking of marrying her
b) Henry wanted to get Holbein out of the way so he could seduce his wife
c) Henry showed his power by sending his court patrons all over England on a whim
d) Henry thought Holbein was too eccentric for court life
3) Which statement best describes why Hans Holbein is called "the Younger"?
a) he was the youngest court painter of King Henry VIII
b) to help people understand his youthful zeal and controversial opinions
c) to ensure no one confused him with the Holbein family of southern France
d) to distinguish him from his father
4) Based on the factional strife around 1525, that accompanied the Reformation, which of
these conclusions is accurate?
a) Holbein ran for the safety of Bavaria
b) Basel became a difficult place for an artist to work.
c) Basel became famous for it's spice exportation
d) once reformed the Painter's Guild was no longer corrupt
5) Which of the following is a reason for Hans Holbein to have met with a favorable
reception in England?
a) he was able to juggle, sing and dance better than any court jester
b) he was from a branch of a noble English family
c) he was carrying a letter of introduction from Pope Julius to Sir Robin Hood
d) he was carrying a letter of introduction from Erasmus to Sir Thomas More