Hans Holbein

The Younger

Holbein was born in Augsburg, Germany 1497. He is

considered one of the greatest portraitists of the 16th century.

He is remembered best for painting some of the most important

Tudor figures.

Holbein had a particular style known as 'realist', "His portraits were renowned in their time for their likeness, and it is through his eyes that many famous figures of his day are pictured today".

It is through his paintings we understand exactly what some of the most famous Tudor figures

looked like, as you can see below.

Sir Thomas Cromwell

Sir Thomas More

King Henry VIII

As you can see above Sir Thomas More looks very life like and that is an example of realist style Holbein used.

Did You Know?

He is called "the Younger" to separate him from his father Hans Holbein the Elder, who was also a very famous painter.  

As a young man he worked in Basel, Switzerland designing murals and stained glass windows. He worked in many different styles and he created a unique style of his own.

The Reformation

The Reformation changed England’s official religion from Catholicism to the new Protestant faith. In 1533, Henry VIII married Anne Boleyn in a secret ceremony, and made the Pope angry. Henry was excommunicated (expelled from the church) and the English Reformation had begun. Holbein happened to be part of Henry’s court whilst these big changes were happening. And this is probably why he’s remembered today.

Hans Holbein died in London in 1543 at the age of 45, supposedly of the plague!