Holbein the Younger

by Norbert Wolf

A key figure in the Northern Renaissance, Hans Holbein the Younger (1497/8-1543) is most remembered for his religious commissions and the portraits he created during his later years in London, such as The French Ambassadors and the many paintings and drawings made of Henry VIII and his wives. His unfailing eye, vivid use of colors, and acute sense of psychological observation gave his paintings an uncommon depth and made him one of the most important German artists of his era.

Available in over 20 languages, TASCHEN's Basic Art Series offers budget-minded readers quality books on the greatest artists of all time. The neat, slick format and nice price tag make Basic Art books fun to collect. Basic Art titles feature: detailed chronological summary of the artist's life and work, covering the cultural and historical importance of the artist over 100 color illustrations with explanatory captions concise biography

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, History, Biography

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Norbert Wolf is an art historian and author based in Munich. He has published several books with Prestel, including "Art Nouveau", "Art Deco", "Impressionism", "Spanish Painting", and "The Golden Age of Dutch and Flemish Painting", as well as monographs on Albrecht Dürer and Titian.

Reviews

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hans Holbein younger was a true master of portraiture. He was also skilled in jewelery design and precious metal creations such as goblets and fantastic table ornaments.

He was renowned for rendering true renditions in his portraiture without false
embellishment.

[Tim Pattison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual history book, but I have always been fascinated by the Tudors and Holbein is an enigmatic figure in most books/films/TV series. Our entire image of Henry VIII has been shaped by Holbein’s art. That alone makes Holbein interesting, but reading this book you get the sense of how people navigated the reformation and European society of the time. How they saw themselves. How an artist saw them. This short book, beautifully produced, gives an exciting and memorable introduction to Holbein and his world.

P.S. Take a look at the portrait of Charles de Solier, Sieur de Morette, on page 79!

[Igenlode Wordsmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent short introduction to Holbein's work, lavishly illustrated with beautifully reproduced images and insightful commentary on them, including some stunning pictures of non-English dignitaries not usually seen here.

It did almost immediately become evident that the text was translated, as a quick check at the back of the book confirmed- there are certain effusions in the introduction that have been a little too faithfully reproduced (and odd expressions like describing Henry VIII as "the stout regent", i.e. the fat man reigning). However most of the book is very readable and insightful. And a lot more entertaining than The Ambassadors' Secret!

[Kayleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had expected why more from the text in this book. Love the illustrations they have chosen but the text is kinda hard to read. It feels like an infodump about the time period and sometimes a mention of Holbein.
I also don't like it when an author says that a women is unactrative on a painting eventhough she just looks like a normal wife with two children.