Hans Holbein the Younger
Hans Holbein the Younger was a German artist from the Northern Renaissance who lived from 1497 to 1543. Holbein is remembered for being one of the most prominent portrait artists of his time, perhaps most notably from his days as the official court painter of the Tudor Court in England serving under Henry VIII. In addition to portraiture, Holbein also created religious works, Reformation propaganda, and satire art.
Hans Holbein the Younger was born in Augsburg, in Bavaria, Germany. His father, Hans Holbein the Elder, was a celebrated portrait artist who worked in the Gothic art style. At a young age, Hans Holbein the Younger started working in Basel, Switzerland, creating his first commissioned works of art; religious murals and stained-glass designs. During this period, the Catholic Church was undergoing the Protestant Reformation and Holbein had art patrons on both sides of the aisle.
Holbein had a unique style which was a combination of the Gothic movement that his father was a part of with the Renaissance and Humanism movement spreading north from Italy. Holbein befriended the Dutch humanist, Erasmus Desiderius, and his portrait of Desiderius first gave Holbein international acclaim.
Desiderius recommended that Holbein move to England to befriend the Humanist, Sir Thomas More, and find work. So, in 1526, Holbein left for England leaving his wife and two children behind. In England, Holbein became friends with the humanist, Thomas More, and soon built himself a reputation in his new homeland as a talented portrait artist. He returned home for four years, then returned to England in 1532. Upon his return, both Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell became patrons of Holbein. These prominent people introduced him to the King of England; Henry VIII. In 1535, Holbein became the official court painter to King Henry VIII’s Tudor Court and began creating some of his most well-known and celebrated portraits. His paintings from this period are still so familiar to us, even today.
Holbein fell out of favor with the King after a debacle regarding Anne of Cleves. Holbein was sent to Germany by Thomas Cromwell to paint a portrait of Anne of Cleves to bring back to Henry VIII who wanted to “see” her before entering into a marriage agreement with her. Henry decided to marry her based on the portrait but found her so repugnant in real life that the marriage was never consummated. Some historians believe this portrait debacle helped lead to the downfall of Thomas Cromwell who was beheaded in 1540 after being accused of treason.
Hans Holbein the Younger died suddenly in 1543 at only 45 years of age, most likely as a victim of the Bubonic plague that was ravaging the population of Europe at this time. The location of his grave is unknown. His position as court painter was filled by the woman artist, Levina Teerlinc.
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