There is a fine title page designed by Holbein, printed by Petri, at Basle, in 1524. It was originally designed and used for an edition of the New Testament, printed by the same Adam Petri in 1523. At the four corners are the symbols of the Evangelists; the arms of the city of Basle are in the centre of the upper border, and the printer's device occupies a corresponding space below. Figures of SS. Peter and Paul are in the niches at each side. But the work always most associated with the name of Holbein is the remarkable little book containing the series of designs known as the "Dance of Death," the first edition of which was printed at Lyons in 1538. The two designs here given are printed from the blocks cut by Bonner and Byfield (1833). These cuts are only about 2-1/2 by 2 inches, and yet an extraordinary amount of invention, graphic power, dramatic and tragic force, and grim and satiric humour, is compressed into them. They stand quite alone in the history of art, and give a wonderfully interesting and complete series of illustrations of the life of the sixteenth century. Holbein is supposed to have painted this "Dance of Death" in the palace of Henry VIII., erected by Cardinal Wolsey at Whitehall, life size; but this was destroyed in the fire which consumed nearly the whole of that palace in 1697. [Illustration: GER. SCHOOL. XVITH CENT. HOLBEIN. "DANCE OF DEATH." THE NUN. (LYONS, 1538.)] The Bible cuts of Hans Holbein are also a very fine series, and remarkable for their breadth and simplicity of line, as well as decorative effect on the page. [Illustration: GER. SCHOOL. XVITH CENT. HOLBEIN, "DANCE OF DEATH." THE PLOUGHMAN. (LYONS, 1538.)] It is interesting to note that Holbein's father and grandfather both practised engraving and painting at Augsburg, while his brother Ambrose was also a fertile book illustrator. Hans Holbein the elder married a daughter of the elder Burgmair, father of the famous Hans Burgmair, examples of whose fine and vigorous style of drawing are given. [Illustration: GERMAN SCHOOL. XVITH CENTURY. HANS HOLBEIN. (BASEL, ADAM PETRI, _circa_ 1524.)] [Illustration: GERMAN SCHOOL. XVITH CENTURY. HANS HOLBEIN. HIST. VET. TEST. ICONIBUS ILLUSTRATA.] [Sidenote: THE GERMAN MASTERS.] [Sidenote: THE GERMAN TRADITION.]