Artist. A painter, draftsman, and designer, he is famous for the realism of his portraits, particularly those recording the court of King Henry VIII of England. Born about 1497, he first studied in his native Augsburg and began independent work about 1515 in Basle, Switzerland. Holbein married a tanner's widow, and became a burgher of Basle in 1520. In Basle, he was also active in designing woodcuts for title pages and book illustrations. He increased his reputation as a book illustrator by a series of woodcuts for the German translation of the Bible by Martin Luther. Holbein left Basle late in 1526, to travel to England. By 1536 he was established as court painter to Henry VIII of England. It is estimated that during the last 10 years of his life he executed approximately 150 portraits, life-size and miniature, of royalty and nobility. Holbein acted not only as a portraitist but also as a fashion designer for the court. The artist made designs for all the state robes of the king; he left more than 250 delicate drawings for everything from buttons and buckles to pageant weapons, horse outfittings, and bookbindings for the royal household. Holbein is regarded by many as one of the greatest portraitists and draftsmen of all time. He died during an outbreak of plague and was buried in a communal pit in the grounds of Christ Church Priory, now the yard of Saint Katherine Cree. A memorial brass is in the nearby Saint Andrew Undershaft.
Artist. A painter, draftsman, and designer, he is famous for the realism of his portraits, particularly those recording the court of King Henry VIII of England. Born about 1497, he first studied in his native Augsburg and began independent work about 1515 in Basle, Switzerland. Holbein married a tanner's widow, and became a burgher of Basle in 1520. In Basle, he was also active in designing woodcuts for title pages and book illustrations. He increased his reputation as a book illustrator by a series of woodcuts for the German translation of the Bible by Martin Luther. Holbein left Basle late in 1526, to travel to England. By 1536 he was established as court painter to Henry VIII of England. It is estimated that during the last 10 years of his life he executed approximately 150 portraits, life-size and miniature, of royalty and nobility. Holbein acted not only as a portraitist but also as a fashion designer for the court. The artist made designs for all the state robes of the king; he left more than 250 delicate drawings for everything from buttons and buckles to pageant weapons, horse outfittings, and bookbindings for the royal household. Holbein is regarded by many as one of the greatest portraitists and draftsmen of all time. He died during an outbreak of plague and was buried in a communal pit in the grounds of Christ Church Priory, now the yard of Saint Katherine Cree. A memorial brass is in the nearby Saint Andrew Undershaft.
Bio by: Iola
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