The Project Gutenberg EBook of Holbein, by Beatrice Fortescue

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Title: Holbein

Author: Beatrice Fortescue

Release Date: June 17, 2009 [EBook #29150]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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Illustration: _Hans Holbein the Younger_
_Coloured Chalks. Basel Museum_

LITTLE BOOKS ON ART
GENERAL EDITOR: CYRIL DAVENPORT

HOLBEIN

BY
BEATRICE FORTESCUE

WITH FORTY-SIX ILLUSTRATIONS

METHUEN & CO.
36 ESSEX STREET W.C.
LONDON

_First published in 1904_

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

HOLBEIN'S PERIOD, PARENTAGE, AND EARLY WORK

Historical epoch and antecedents--Special conditions and character
of early Christian art--Ideals and influence of the monk--Holbein's
relation to mediaeval schools--His father, uncle, and Augsburg
home--Probable dates for his birth and his father's death--Troubles
and dispersion of the Augsburg household--From Augsburg to Basel--His
brother Ambrose--Erasmus and the _Praise of Folly_; some erroneous
impressions of both--Erasmus and Holbein no Protestants at
heart--Holbein and the Bible--Illustrated Vernacular Bibles in
circulation before Luther and Holbein were born--Holbein's earliest
Basel oil-paintings--Direct and indirect education--Historical,
geographical, and scientific revolutions of his day--Beginning of
his connection with the Burgomaster of Basel--Jacob Meyer zum
Hasen--Holbein's woodcuts--His studies from nature--Sudden visit
to Lucerne--Italian influence on his art--Work for the Burgomaster
of Lucerne 1

CHAPTER II

HOLBEIN BASILIENSIS (1519-1526)

_Holbein Basiliensis_--Enters the Painters' Guild--Bonifacius
Amerbach and his portrait--The Last Supper and its Judas--The so-called
"Fountain of Life" at Lisbon--Genius for design and symbolism in
architecture--Versatility, humour, fighting scenes--Holbein becomes a
citizen and marries--Basel in 15