Portrait of Hans Holbein

Art Historical Context

This delicate etching and engraving, titledPortrait of Hans Holbein captures the likeness of the renowned Renaissance painter Hans Holbein the Younger Created by the Bohemian artist Wenceslaus Hollar 1647—over a century after Holbein's death in 3—it measures just 5 9/16 by 4 5/16 inches, making it an intimate gem in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's and Prints collection. As the first state of four this rare early impression preserves Hollar's initial lines before later refinements, offering a glimpse into the printmaking process. Holbein, celebrated for his precise portraits of Tudor England, including King Henry VIII and his court, is here immortalized in a posthumous tribute. Hollar, a master engraver who fled religious strife in Europe to work in England, excelled at reproductive prints that made famous images accessible. His technique blends etching's fluid spontaneity with engraving's crisp detail, rendering Holbein's thoughtful gaze, fur collar, and inscription with remarkable fidelity—likely based on Holbein's own self-portrait. These small-scale prints were vital in the 17th century for spreading artistic legacies, bridging Renaissance mastery with Baroque precision. Donated to the Met in 2020, this work invites visitors to ponder how one artist's skill honors another across time.