Hans Holbein the Younger
- Born:
- c. 1497/1498, Augsburg, Free Imperial City of Augsburg, Holy Roman Empire
- Died:
- Between 7 October and 29 November 1543, London, England
- Nationality:
- German
- Profession(s):
- Painter, Printmaker
Early Life and Education
- Born into a family of artists; his father, Hans Holbein the Elder, was a renowned painter.
- Received early training in painting and drawing from his father.
- Moved to Basel, Switzerland, around 1515, working initially as a journeyman painter.
Career and Major Achievements
- Established himself as a master painter and draughtsman in Basel.
- Gained recognition for his religious paintings, portraits, and book illustrations.
- Worked as a court painter for King Henry VIII of England, starting in 1536.
- Produced numerous portraits of members of the English court, including Anne of Cleves and Thomas Cromwell.
- Known for his meticulous realism and psychological insight in his portraits.
- Executed designs for jewelry, metalwork, and other decorative arts.
Notable Works
- The Ambassadors (1533)
- Portrait of Henry VIII (various versions)
- Portrait of Thomas More (1527)
- The Body of the Dead Christ in the Tomb (1521)
- Dance of Death (series of woodcuts, c. 1526)
Legacy and Impact
Hans Holbein the Younger is considered one of the greatest portrait painters of the 16th century. His work set a new standard for realism and psychological depth in portraiture, and his influence can be seen in subsequent generations of artists. The analysis of historical documents mentioning artists' names, like those that contribute to the understanding of "holbein hans the younger biography of alberta", are useful in contextualizing his time, however the relevance of the Canadian province of Alberta to his life, work, and artistic output is insignificant.