Hans Holbein

German-Swiss painter at the English Court

Hans Holbein the Younger (1497 – ), German-Swiss painter at the English Court

Week 10: 'Alas, What Shall I Do For Love?' (Part 1)

Isn’t it good to meet the famous painter at last!

His wife is “Fat. Sad… I don’t reckon to be a good husband. I just send the money home.” His home is Basle and the Swiss cantons. He does not want to live there amongst the religious infighting.

“You came here looking for peace and ease?'“ He shakes his head. “Too late.”

The commissions from Chelsea, from Thomas More, have dried up. But Cromwell and the king will need their master painter. Work must begin on rooms at the Tower for Anne before her coronation.

“I should like to paint her. Anna Bolena.”

Week 13: Anna Regina (Part 2)

Hans Holbein says, Thomas, I’ve got your hands done but I haven’t paid much attention to your face. I promise this autumn I’ll finish you off.

Week 14: Devil's Spit / A Painter’s Eye

Hans Holbein is working on The Ambassadors, and he hopes De Dinteville doesn’t take it home too soon as he hopes “to show it and get commission off it.” He wants to paint the king and Cromwell says he will ask. “Let me choose the time.”

The portrait of Cromwell comes home to Austin Friars. Chapuys provides the critique:

‘Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Your protestant painter has missed the mark this time. For one never thinks of you alone, Cremuel, but in company, studying the faces of other people, as if you yourself mean to paint them.

Week 16: The Map of Christendom (Part 1)

Cromwell commissions Hans to paint a miniature for the king’s new-year gift. They talk about Sheba and Anselma. “I know who she is… Why don’t you go over and claim her?”

Hans to Cromwell: “The wives of England, they all keep secret books of whom they are going to have next when they have poisoned their husbands. And you are the top of everyone’s list.”

Hans knows Cromwell has an English bible almost ready. Hans will put Henry on the title page. “But if I paint Henry, I must flatter, I suppose. Show him how he was five years ago. Or ten.”

Week 18: Falcons

Hans Holbein comes with the court on its progress through England. He draws Anne, but she is not pleased with it. He draws Rafe Sadler, but he complains about his nose. “And how, Master Sadler, is it in my power to fix your nose?”

Week 36: Augmentation

Master Holbein comes to his house. He plans a wall of dead kings. Hans would like to paint the living one, even though he is somewhat augmented. Cromwell says he wishes he had painted his wife.

Week 41: The Image of the King (Part 1/2)

Hans Holbein paints the king. He tells Cromwell that he failed in his painting of Master Secretary. ‘You should have been painted by some other master, a dead one, for God He Knows, you looked dead. You know Antonello, that fellow from Messina? he would have dragged some expression out of you.’

Holbein wants lodging and workspace at Whitehall and an annual fee. When he paints Henry, Cromwell has to remind him not to speak but ‘apply to your trade.’ Afterwards, he repeats his belief that Cromwell tortured Mark Smeaton. He paints Jane and finds her difficult. Cromwell warns him not to flatter her. ‘It is not my habit,’ he replies.

At the second drawing, he brings one of the cardinal’s carpets for the king to stand on. When the king falls, Cromwell makes an amendment to Holbein’s sketch, telling him to ‘turn the head. Turn it full on. Make him look at us.’

‘God in Heaven,’ Hans says, ‘that will be frightening. Turn body and all?’

Week 44: Corpus Christi (Part 1/2)

Holbein is sent to paint more princesses.

Week 46: Ascension Day (Part 1/2)

Hans is instructed to paint Lady Mary. He does not welcome the commission. ‘Listen, I do not flatter.’ He does not think Wilhelm will like ‘our little shrew’.