HANS HOLBEIN - Life, Works & Painting Style | Great Artists simply Explained in 3 minutes!

Hans Holbein the Younger was a Swiss painter born in Germany. He is considered one of the most significant Renaissance painters, primarily known for his portraits of prominent figures.
He was born around 1497 in the German city of Augsburg and came from a distinguished family of artists.
His father, Hans Holbein the Elder, was one of the renowned painters of his time. Holbein received artistic training in his father's workshop alongside his brother, and his uncle, Sigmund, was also a painter. Together, they moved to Basel in 1515, where he created portraits, religious paintings, and illustrated books.
In his early twenties, he likely experienced the death of his brother and married Elsbeth Binsenstock, the widow of a tanner from Basel. The marriage allowed him to join the Basel Painters' Guild, and together they had four children.
Later, he spent time in France and London and returned to Basel as a well-known and sought-after painter for four years. In 1532, he left Basel for England.
Four years later, he became the court painter to the king but later fell out of favor for painting a portrait of a potential bride of the king (Anne of Cleves) more beautiful than she actually was. The king chose her based on this portrait but soon divorced her. Although Holbein remained the court painter, he was never allowed to paint another member of the royal family.
In 1543, he died at around 46 years old from the plague, which was rampant in London at the time.
Holbein's painting style was characterized by great precision and attention to detail. He was a master at capturing the characters of his subjects and created realistic portraits of high intensity. His works include portraits of prominent figures of his time and his famous Madonna paintings.
In addition to his portraits, he created many religious scenes, allegorical representations, and historical scenes.
Three of his most famous works are:
The iconic portrait "The Ambassadors," known for its mysterious arrangement of objects, including a distorted skull symbolizing the transience of life. The subtle integration of such allegorical elements gives the painting deep symbolic meaning.
"The Body of the Dead Christ in the Tomb" is a poignant painting capturing human vulnerability and the spiritual depth of faith.
The "Portrait of King Henry VIII" showcases Holbein's skills as a portraitist and is one of the most famous depictions of the monarch.
His body of work includes over 100 paintings and numerous drawings and sketches, all bearing his distinctive signature style.