Holbein: Renaissance Master

by Elizabeth Goldring

A definitive biography of the artist who, more than any other, has shaped our image of the Tudor court
 
This landmark scholarly biography of Hans Holbein the Younger (c. 1497–1543), court painter to Henry VIII, breathes new life into Holbein’s story. From his early days in Augsburg and Basel to his lasting impact on British art and culture, this definitive account breathes new life into Holbein’s story, shedding light on the artist whose paintings would shape perceptions of the Tudor court for five hundred years.
 
Written in accessible, engaging prose, the book explores Holbein’s famous portraits of Tudor figures―Henry VIII, his queens, would-be wives, and leading courtiers such as Thomas More and Thomas Cromwell―and examines iconic works, including The Ambassadors. Beyond biography, it situates Holbein’s art within the broader context of Tudor Britain, tracing the birth of collecting, connoisseurship, and art history itself.
 
Beautifully illustrated, with rarely seen paintings from private collections, this volume weaves the latest research―including new archival discoveries and scientific analysis―into a fresh examination of Holbein’s life and work.
 
Distributed for the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art

Genres: Art, History, Nonfiction, Biography, Tudor Period

417 pages, Hardcover

Published January 6, 2026

About the author

Dr. Elizabeth Goldring was a Research Fellow in the University of Warwick's Centre for the Study of the Renaissance and is now an Associate Fellow of both the Centre and Warwick's History of Art Department. She is co-editor of two essay collections - The Progresses, Pageants, and Entertainments of Queen Elizabeth I (Oxford University Press, 2007) and Court Festivals of the European Renaissance: Art, Politics and Performance (Ashgate, 2002) - and associate general editor of Europa Triumphans: Court and Civic Festivals in Early Modern Europe (Ashgate, 2004). Other recent publications include articles in The British Art Journal, The Burlington Magazine, and ELR: English Literary Renaissance. She was Consultant to English Heritage for the exhibition 'Queen and Castle: Robert Dudley's Kenilworth', which opened in 2006.

Reviews

[Orsolya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most everyone is familiar with the Tudor dynasty history of England and can name some key facts from King Henry VIII and his six wives to the Reformation to the ‘Gloriana Virgin’ Queen Elizabeth. But even more amazingly: most everyone is familiar with the ‘faces’ of these famous figures from the period hundreds of years before the development of a photo camera. This is all thanks to one man: Hans Holbein – the Augsburg-born artist who eventually became the official court painter to King Henry VIII having painted Henry, some of his wives, his son Prince Edward, court officials like Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell, foreign ambassadors and a host of nobles which is hands down the pictorial evidence that we have of the period in modern day. Holbein is a key figure in the Tudor story and yet is often shrouded in mystery as most artists were and remain today. Elizabeth Goldring sheds light on Hans Holbein in her magnificent work, “Holbein”.

“Holbein” broken down into basics is a hefty, glossy-paged art history/biography coffee table book journeying through the life and work of Hans Holbein from his early training/ family life with his father (also a painter) Hans Holbein the Elder; to his death. But Goldring’s “Holbein” is so much more than this and is a masterpiece text. Although “Holbein” is not the first coverage of Holbein; it is by-far the one that achieves the most offering a wealth of education to readers in a glorious and accessible manner that is riveting, readable, fresh, magnetic, thought-provoking and memorable.

In “Holbein”, Goldring explores the biographical life of Holbein in such depth that she might as well have actually lived alongside the man and it is mind-blowing that she has uncovered more information that those previously penning pieces on the life of Holbein. This is presented in a scholarly prose but one that is understandable even to general audiences without an art or history background. Holbein truly takes center stage and somehow becomes a strong figure in his own right versus just being known for his portraiture pieces. Goldring dives even deeper by explaining the ‘why’ behind Holbein’s life events and decisions often even exploring these on a psychological level but based on credible history versus any bias or speculation. “Holbein” is a strikingly amazing text.

Naturally, Goldring also features Holbein’s artwork and career analyzing all aspects: the creative process, art merit, how Holbein became famous and gained patrons, the propaganda value behind his portraits, ‘who gifted who’ with his artwork and why, etc. “Holbein” forces readers to re-evaluate art and Tudor history with new perspectives never before achieved by other texts featuring Holbein which generally focus solely on art studies. Even though “Holbein” may seem overwhelming in volume and length; it is such a page-turner that readers simply won’t be able to put it down.

Goldring’s nearly-perfect “Holbein” does contain two stark weaknesses/annoyances: (1) a propensity to ask the reader/start paragraphs with questions i.e. “Did Holbein leave Basel at this time? Did he and his wife argue, never meeting again? Although we don’t know…”; which becomes very tedious and cumbersome and (2) Goldring’s addiction to describing rooms as “Living room-cum-workshop” which is the Latin abbreviation for “combined” meaning a room that also serves a secondary function. These are become gratuitously repetitious but mercifully are terminated as “Holbein” proceeds into the latter half.

“Holbein” is stock full of detailed imagery of Holbein’s artwork with accompanying text exploring the art side of his work while also including juicy tid-bits on how each piece found its home in which museum, artists that were influenced, etc; while captions give more statistical detail.

Goldring concludes “Holbein” with a social history view of Holbein’s impact; the paths his paintings journeyed from owner-to-owner to bless our eyes in modern day and his influence on art in general; which profoundly demonstrates the mastery of Hans Holbein and ends “Holbein” on a note of perfection versus an abrupt closing.

“Holbein” is supplemented by thorough annotated notes and sources for further research and credibility.

Goldring’s “Holbein” is the unsurpassed text on Holbein to date and is the seamless combination art coffee table book, biography and social history or as she would say: art coffee table book- cum- biography -cum- social history. Sorry! Jokes aside, “Holbein” is a MUST-READ for all Tudor History fans, art coffee table book connoisseurs, fans of Holbein and basically everyone!

[Anne Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must for any Tudor history nerd. This is both a biography of Hans Holbein, Henry VIII’s German-born court painter, and a study of his work. Because very little documentary evidence is left about his life, the author used a variety of sources to place him in different times and places. The book is written in a very academic style, so it is a bit of a dry read.

Where this book shines is in the lovely illustrations, which are included with details on their origin, commission, and information on who/what/where/when/why they were painted. I enjoyed that some of the author’s beliefs about painting subjects often differ from generally held beliefs.

I also enjoyed the information about Holbein’s associations with Erasmus and Thomas More, both of whom provided patronage that led him to the level of success as the painter to the King of England.

Because this book is more about of a scholarly type read, it will not appeal to general readers. But those interested in art for the Tudor court in particular will find it to be a great addition to their home collections.

[Isaac Hawcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reproductions are excellent and the text is highly informative (and I imagine quite exciting, if you're more familiar with the Holbein scholarship than I am!).

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book about the artist most responsible for our view of Henry VIII and his court.