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Hans Holbein the Younger: Painter at the Court of Henry VIII
This is followed by an essay by Jochen Sander focusing on the so-called Darmstadt Madonna, which sheds light on the creation of this painting. Forty paintings are then shown, including full-page colour details. The book is completed by a who's who in the life and times of Hans Holbein. This explains 40 essential figures and 15 essential ideas/movements.
183 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2004
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September 10, 2015
Although the name Hans Holbein may not be one that every ‘Average Joe’ is familiar with; the chances are that one has seen the artist’s work (probably a la the famous painting of King Henry VIII). Stephanie Buck, Jochen Sander, and other collaborators come together to produce, “Hans Holbein the Younger: Painter at the Court of Henry VIII” to accompany the Hans Holbein exhibit at The Hague in 2003.
Even though “Hans Holbein the Younger” is an exhibit accompaniment; it stands on its own as a fine art coffee table book. The text begins with a foreword describing the exhibit which then flows into a brief biography of Hans Holbein written by Stephanie Buck. This biography is limited in scope and not in-depth but this is due to the lack of source material available versus inadequate research. Despite this lack of conclusive material; an introduction to Holbein is strongly founded.
“Hans Hobein the Younger” proceeds to focus on the “Darmstadt Madonna” which is considered to be Holbein’s masterpiece. Jochen Sander explores the inspirations, materials used, post-haste investigations into the techniques implored, etc. The text is easy-to-understand and accessible while also providing the reader experienced in art with jargon familiar to the field.
The main section of “Hans Holbein the Younger” highlights the catalog of Holbein’s work by showcasing 40 works. The glossy pages feature the works themselves, a caption of the size of the piece, materials used, date created, and current owner. This in itself provides sufficient viewer material for browsing in terms of a coffee table book. However, for though who do not find that to be enough; the accompanying text supplements well by exploring the full arc of each piece from the commissioning individual, to the production of the art, and ending with the current status of the art piece. The highlights are penned by alternating authors making the catalog fresh and without repetition but yet it is cohesive and seamless in structure.
The appeal of the catalog discussion is that not only does the reader learn of Holbein’s technique in each painting but also benefits from exploring the background of the subjects; adding value and depth to the painting studies.
“Hans Holbein the Younger” follows the catalog with an appendix including a history of Holbein’s drawings in Windsor Castle, a timeline of events in Holbein’s life sequentially occurring with major English events, biographies for the key figures in Holbein’s time (both the subjects in his paintings and politically in English history), and an extended glossary of key historical terms. These supplements add value and depth to “Hans Holbein the Younger” while also concluding the work on a memorable angle.
Wrapping up “Hans Holbein the Younger” is an enlightening section of annotated notes plus a biography.
“Hans Holbein the Younger” is an excellent coffee table art book which reveals the artist himself while beautifully glorifying some of his works. The book is strongly recommended for those interested in art, Holbein, and the Tudor period in history.
Even though “Hans Holbein the Younger” is an exhibit accompaniment; it stands on its own as a fine art coffee table book. The text begins with a foreword describing the exhibit which then flows into a brief biography of Hans Holbein written by Stephanie Buck. This biography is limited in scope and not in-depth but this is due to the lack of source material available versus inadequate research. Despite this lack of conclusive material; an introduction to Holbein is strongly founded.
“Hans Hobein the Younger” proceeds to focus on the “Darmstadt Madonna” which is considered to be Holbein’s masterpiece. Jochen Sander explores the inspirations, materials used, post-haste investigations into the techniques implored, etc. The text is easy-to-understand and accessible while also providing the reader experienced in art with jargon familiar to the field.
The main section of “Hans Holbein the Younger” highlights the catalog of Holbein’s work by showcasing 40 works. The glossy pages feature the works themselves, a caption of the size of the piece, materials used, date created, and current owner. This in itself provides sufficient viewer material for browsing in terms of a coffee table book. However, for though who do not find that to be enough; the accompanying text supplements well by exploring the full arc of each piece from the commissioning individual, to the production of the art, and ending with the current status of the art piece. The highlights are penned by alternating authors making the catalog fresh and without repetition but yet it is cohesive and seamless in structure.
The appeal of the catalog discussion is that not only does the reader learn of Holbein’s technique in each painting but also benefits from exploring the background of the subjects; adding value and depth to the painting studies.
“Hans Holbein the Younger” follows the catalog with an appendix including a history of Holbein’s drawings in Windsor Castle, a timeline of events in Holbein’s life sequentially occurring with major English events, biographies for the key figures in Holbein’s time (both the subjects in his paintings and politically in English history), and an extended glossary of key historical terms. These supplements add value and depth to “Hans Holbein the Younger” while also concluding the work on a memorable angle.
Wrapping up “Hans Holbein the Younger” is an enlightening section of annotated notes plus a biography.
“Hans Holbein the Younger” is an excellent coffee table art book which reveals the artist himself while beautifully glorifying some of his works. The book is strongly recommended for those interested in art, Holbein, and the Tudor period in history.
Displaying 1 of 1 review