Hans Holbein the Younger, Volume 2 (of 2)Chamberlain, Arthur B. (Arthur Bensley)
History
Hans Holbein the Younger, Volume 2 (of 2)
Chamberlain, Arthur B. (Arthur Bensley)
Holbein, Hans, 1497-1543 -- Criticism and interpretation; Painters -- Germany -- Biography
Another important drawing, of an earlier date, in the Städel Institut at
Frankfurt, represents a transport ship about to put out to sea.[610] It
is a three-masted vessel, with high poop, crowded with small figures,
among them a troop of landsknechte, one of whom stands in the stern, a
fine figure, holding aloft a banner which flaps in the wind. Others play
drum and trumpets, some hold pikes, and one of them embraces a girl. The
anchor has been hauled up, and most of the sailors are at work in the
rigging unfurling the sails; but several of them are taking parting
drinks from large jars, even at the masthead, and one of the number is
already overcome with sea-sickness. Below, on the left, a boat with two
rowers is pulling vigorously towards the ship, either to put on board a
late comer or to fetch off those for the shore. The exact date of this
drawing is uncertain. It is possible that Holbein saw some such vessel
during his visit to Amerbach in the south of France, or that he made it
a year or two later at Antwerp on his way to England for the first time.
Footnote 610:
Woltmann, 152. Reproduced by Knackfuss, fig. 70. Water-colour has been
used for the faces, dresses, and other parts of the drawing.
His skill in the representation of animals is shown in a number of
drawings. There are some fine horses in the “Triumph of Riches” study,
and also in the “Samuel and Saul” and the “Sapor and Valerian” drawings
for the Basel Town Hall paintings, as well as in the woodcut of “The
Ploughman” in the “Dance of Death” series and in others of his woodcut
illustrations; the latter also showing good studies of sheep, dogs, and
other animals. The early drawings of a lamb and a bat have been
described on a previous page.[611]
Footnote 611:
See Vol. i. p. 161.
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CHAPTER XXVII
DESIGNS FOR JEWELLERY AND THE DECORATIVE ARTS
Holbein as a practical designer for craftsmen in the different branches
of art workmanship—Architectural designs—The “Holbein Gate” at
Whitehall—The Porch at Wilton—Drawing of a royal chimney-piece in the
British Museum—Ceilings in St. James’s Palace and the Matted Gallery,
Whitehall—Sculptured capitals in the More Chapel, Chelsea Church—Glass
window in Shelton Church, Norfolk—Number of his designs for jewellers,
goldsmiths, and armourers—The Jane Seymour Cup—Other designs for cups
in the Basel Museum—Sir Anthony Denny’s clock—Sword and dagger hilts
and sheaths—Henry VIII’s love of jewellery—Pendants—Book
covers—Monograms—Panels of ornament—Designs for circular medallions or
_enseignes_ in the British Museum and at Chatsworth and Basel—The
leading English and foreign jewellers in London—Holbein’s probable
connection with some of them.
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