Hans Holbein the Younger: John Chambers

"Portrait of John Chambers"
by Hans Holbein the Younger

"The 'Portrait of John Chambers' is, along with the 'Portrait of Duke Antony the Good of Lorraine,' among the last of Holbein's panel portraits. Seen in retrospect, it seems like a summary of his art as a portraitist. John Chamber was 88 years old when Holbein executed this portrait. He was a cleric who also distinguished himself as a doctor. He was so successful in this profession that Henry VIII appointed him one of his personal physicians.

Set against a blue background typical for Holbein's portraits, nothing detracts from the grave, introspective face. The short inscription written just below eye-level introduces a clear horizontal axis into the composition. 'Aetatis II SVE 88' means 'at the age of 88.' The sleeves have now turned dark under a brown varnish, but were originally a brilliantly shiny pink silk, giving a sophisticated color highlight and at the same time matching the flesh of the face. The black mantle enshrouds his physique voluminously, but the rendering of the different materials (wool, velvet and damask) provides a differentiated surface achieved with consummate skill. The outline of the figure is self-contained, thus superbly reflecting on a formal level the deep calm and inviolable dignity expressed in the face.

It is generally dated to 1543, the year when Holbein died unexpectedly at the age of 45. He was possibly a victim of an epidemic of plague that broke out at that time in London."

To be continued

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