Sponsored by New Wave Art

Hans Holbein the Younger did these drawings as studies for his portrait commissions in England, between 1527 and 1543. Originally from Basel, Germany, he trained as an artist in the rich atmosphere of the German Renaissance with its strong tradition in line drawing (made famous in the work of Albrecht Dürer). These drawings, simple as they are, highlight the importance of design and lines in Holbein’s finished paintings and are sensitive and beautiful works of art in their own right. 

He frequently mixed media for these sketches, combining metalpoint, colored chalks, pencil, gouache, and ink as necessary. On many of these drawings you’ll see written notes on color or pattern as well. In the later drawings, he frequently worked on paper prepared with a pink colored ground made from chalk and Vermillion. They are studies in economy of line, accuracy, and a sure touch – and the use of mixed media makes them feel surprisingly modern. His sitters always feel present and the way Holbein composes the figure on the page is always elegantly thought out. Drawings from the Royal Collection. 

George Brooke, 9th Baron Cobham 

Black and coloured chalks, pen and ink and metalpoint, on pale pink prepared paper, c. 1532-43

Anne Cresacre

Black and coloured chalks, c.1527

Frances, Countess of Surrey

Black, white and coloured chalks, white bodycolour, and pen and ink, on pale pink prepared paper, c. 1532-3

Elizabeth Dauncey

Black and coloured chalks, c.1526

Edward Fiennes de Clinton, 9th Lord Clinton, 1st Earl of Lincoln

Black and coloured chalks on pale pink prepared paper, c. 1532-43

Margaret, Lady Butts 

Black and coloured chalks, pen and ink, brush and ink, and metalpoint on pale pink prepared paper, c. 1541-3

An unidentified man

Black and coloured chalks, pen and ink, and brush and ink on pale pink prepared paper, c. 1535

An unidentified woman

Black and coloured chalks, white bodycolour, and pen with black and brown ink on pale pink prepared paper which has been trimmed to outlines and pasted onto another sheet, c. 1532-43

John Poyntz

Black and coloured chalks, pen and ink, and brush and ink on pale pink prepared paper, c. 1532-43

An unidentified woman

Black and coloured chalks, c. 1526-8