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Hans Holbein the Younger (1497 or 1498-1543) was born Augsburg, Bavaria. He was originally trained in painting by his father, Hans Holbein the Elder. By 1515, he was in Basel, Switzerland, working as an illustrator. This meant designing woodcuts like The Dance of Death. He also was hired to pose as other people, including Sir Thomas More. One of Holbein the Younger's most famous works was for a private edition of Encomium Moriae (Praise of Folly) by Erasmus of Rotterdam. The edition is known as much for its literary content as for its illustration. One of his main themes was death and his momumental compositions showed Italian influence.
In 1520, Holbein left Germany to find work in England. This could perhaps be due to the depression that came about that year. During this time he is said to have been married with children. In 1528, he came back to mainland Europe and lived in Basel. In 1532, he returned to England again, and this time perfected his painting techniques. He became Court Painter for Henry VIII. He painted people such as Anne of Cleves (the fourth wife of Henry VIII; Henry married her as a political move, then divorced her) and Sir Richard Southwell. Other jobs at the court included designing jewelry and furniture, costumes for pageantries and decorations for halls, weapons and goblets. In 1543, Holbein died of the plague.
[Of Holbein's Christ in the Tomb] This picture could rob many a man of his faith.
-Fyodor Dostoevsky, quoted in Ganz, The Paintings of Hans Holbein (1950)
Derichus si vocem addas ipsissimus hic sit
Hunc dubites pictor fecerit an genitor.
Add but the voice and you have his whole self, that you may doubt whether the painter or the father has made him.
-Hans Holbein, painted inscription on his portrait, The Merchant Derich (1533)
Portrait of Erasmus of Rotterdam Writing
1523
Portrait of Sir Thomas More
1527
The Virgin and Child with the family of Burgomaster Meyer
1528
Portrait of a Member of the Wedigh Family
1532
Edward VI as a Child
1539
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