Holbeins

Holbeins refers to the Holbein family of painters, a German-Swiss dynastic group active in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The family produced several generations of artists who worked mainly in Augsburg and Basel, later bringing their style to England, where Hans Holbein the Younger became especially renowned for his portraits.

Hans Holbein the Elder (c. 1465–1524) established the Basel workshop and produced religious panels and altarpieces. His son Hans Holbein the Younger (c. 1497–1543) became the era’s most famous member, working in Basel before moving to England as court painter to Henry VIII and producing portraits of figures such as Erasmus and Thomas More. Ambrosius Holbein was also a painter in the family circle and contributed to the Basel workshop during the same period.

The Holbeins are associated with the Northern Renaissance. Their work is characterized by precise draftsmanship, careful observation of clothing and detail, and a movement toward naturalistic, individualized portraiture. The Basel workshop helped anchor a local school that fused late Gothic forms with early Renaissance clarity, while Hans the Younger helped disseminate that approach to England and other regions.

Legacy: The Holbein name remains linked with high-quality Renaissance painting, particularly portraiture. Works attributed to the family are held in major museums in Basel, London, and elsewhere, reflecting their influence on European art in the period.