Hans Holbein the Younger: First Visit to England

"Portrait of Thomas More" by Hans Holbein the Younger

"Lack of work forced Hans Holbein the Younger to leave Basle and to go to England by way of Antwerp. Erasmus wrote to the city secretary of Antwerp introducing Holbien somewhat churlishly: 'The bearer is the one who painted me. I will not burden you by recommending him, though he is an excellent artist. If he wishes to see Quentin [Massys] and you have no time to take him, you can get a servant to point out the house to him.' The letter finishes with the laconic comment: 'The arts are freezing here. He is going to England to scrabble some 'angelots [15th-century gold coins] together.'

By the end of the year Thomas More wrote to Erasmus saying, 'Your painter, my dearest Erasmus, is a wonderful artist, but I fear that he will not find England as fruitful and profitable as he hopes. However, I will do my utmost to ensure he does not find it too unfruitful.' More kept his promise in various ways. He offered Holbein accommodation in his house in Chelseas as well as commissioning at least two portraits from him: an individual portrait and a lost picture of his whole family (although copies survive along with sketches for the painting).

More will also have introduced the painter to court circles, and in this way obtained important commissions for him. As a result, Holbein was already on the way to success just a few months after his arrival in England. The portraits of the More family would allow Holbein to offer his services for other commissions, and it is therefore not surprising that they represent high points in the painter's works."

To be continued

(Excerpts from "Hans Holbein" by Stephanie Buck.)