Hans Holbein the Younger

Hans Holbein the Younger (c. 1497–1543) was a German-Swiss painter, printmaker, and designer of the Northern Renaissance, widely regarded as one of the greatest portraitists of the 16th century. Born in Augsburg into a family of artists, he trained under his father, Hans Holbein the Elder, and later worked in Basel, where he produced religious works, book illustrations, and portraits that brought him international recognition, especially through his depictions of the humanist Desiderius Erasmus. Holbein made a lasting impact in England as King’s Painter to Henry VIII, creating iconic portraits of the king, his court, and other notable figures, as well as designs for decorative objects and royal festivities. His work combines precise realism with rich symbolism, reflecting the cultural currents of his time and securing his legacy as a master of Renaissance art.