Portrait of Hans Holbein
Original title: Portrait of Hans Holbein
kurzbeschreibung
In 1647 Wenceslaus Hollar produced an etched and engraved portrait of the painter Hans Holbein the Younger. The print shows head and shoulders within an oval frame, based on a painting by Hans Holbein the Elder. Four states of the plate exist; this impression is from the first.
Description
Holbein appears in a dark cap and dark coat, with a white collar emerging at the neck. His gaze is serious and withdrawn, his head turned in three-quarter profile. Across the top runs the large lettering 'HANNS HOLBEIN'; below, a Latin inscription names him 'Pictoris & delineatoris rarissimi' and gives the year 'AN 1543'. Along the bottom edge are engraved the artist's signature and the note 'Wenceslaus Hollar aqua forti ari inculpit'.
Context
The Bohemian printmaker Wenceslaus Hollar made this engraving in 1647 as a reproduction after a painting by Hans Holbein the Elder. The 1543 source portrays Hans Holbein the Younger, who was already dead by then. Hollar was known for his faithful copies of artworks and often worked from originals in various collections. The Latin inscription at the bottom underscores the esteem in which the depicted artist was held.
Impact
The sitter's grave expression and dark clothing create a dignified, contemplative mood. Precise lines and the exact rendering of facial features give the portrait an intimate, respectful presence. The oval surround lends it a classical, timeless air.
Technique
Hollar combined etching and engraving for this sheet; the plate was printed in four states. Fine lines and hatching reveal his meticulous working method, which captures both the facial features and the texture of the clothing in detail. The inscriptions and signature are engraved in the lower margin, suggesting careful execution.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)