HOLBEIN, HANs, the Elder (c. 1460 1524). A noted German painter, whose reputa tion was for a long time overshadowed by that of his celebrated son, Hans the Younger, to whom most) of the eider master's finest productions were formerly attributed. But little is known of his life. He was born at Augsburg. the son of the tanner Michael Holbein, and resided there at in tervals for many years, alternately prosperous and in want, first mentioned in the rate-books of the city in 1494. He became a citizen of Elm in 1499, and two years later visited Frankfort. After 1516 lie lived at a short distance from Augsburg. and in 1517 wandered off to paint an altarpiece at Isenheim, in Alsace. where he (lied. The name of his master is not known; that he worked for some time in the studio of Martin Schongauer at Colmar is a mere surmise suggested by a certain resemblance of style. especially in the types of his heads. Undoubtedly Holbein formed his style on the models of the early Flemish school, and subsequently modified it by yielding to local tra dition and Italian influences. In his early pic tures slender figures, mild and regular features. staidness of attitude, and a clear transparency of tone unrelieved by depth of shadow, are the prevailing characteristics. To this class belong the "Virgin and Child. with Two Angels." in Sankt Moritz Chapel, Nuremberg.. and a "Virgin atm Child Enthroned. with Angels," in the Lan dauer Briiderhaus in that city. Of a similar stamp are four altar panels (1493), represent ing "Joachim's Sacrifice." "Birth and Presenta tion of Mary," and "Presentation of C'hrist." in the Cathedral of Augsburg. Somewhat less marked is the Flemish origin of the master's manner in a series of "Scenes from the Passion" (1499), and the altarpiece (1499) with the "Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore" in the cen tre, "Coronation of the Virgin" above it, the "Nativity" and "Martyrdom of Saint Dorothea" in the wings, both in the gallery at Augsburg. To the year 1499 belongs also the "Death of the Virgin" in the Basel Museum. In Frankfort he painted for the Dominicans a composite altar piece (1501). comprising the "Last Supper." "Entry of Christ into Jerusalem," "Expulsion of the Jews from the Temple," etc.. and "Seven Scenes from the Passion," now all in the Stiidel Institute at Frankfort. Of the same period are the "Crucifixion," "Descent from the Cross," and "Entombment." also "Sixteen Scenes from the Life of Mary." all parts of a large altarpiece (1502) in the Old Pinakothek at Munich; a (1502) and "Christ Crowned with Thorns." both in the Augsburg Gallery.
A marked progress in the master's manner is to he noticed in the "Life of Saint Paul" (1504), in its more ideal conception, correct drawing, and delicate execution, and of traditional in terest as containing the portraits of the artist and his two sons, Ambrosius and Hans. The in fluence of the Italian Renaissance is still more apparent in the greater expressivem ss and beauty of coloring displayed in the "saint Catharine Altar" (1512), this and the pre ceding also in the Augsburg Gallery: but his maturest work is the "Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian" (1515-16), in the Pinakothek at a composition full of dramatic power, far transcending any of his previous efforts. His last important work was probably the "Fountain of Life" (1519), in the royal palace at Lisbon.
Ifolbein the Elder also excelled as a portrait painter. and his rare gift fur characterization is apparent especially in the numerous head studies, mostly in silver point, distributed in various col lections. among which those in Berlin. Copen hagen, and Basel are the richest. The museum at Easel also possesses it number of sketches for his religious paintings.
Ilis brolher Sio,rsurNo ( ?-1510) tirst appears on the rate-books of Augsburg in 1501. and in 1519 removed to Bern. where he died, making his nephew. Hans the Younger, his heir. There is Very doubt that he assisted the elder master in several of his most important works, although no single picture van he traced to him directly.—Am !MOSUL s (e.1494-e.1519), son and pupil of Bans the Elder. was born in Augsburg, and, with his brother. Hans the Younger, was sent to Basel about 1515. when both were en gaged chiefly in designing title-pages. initials, and other illustrations for books. in 1517 he was admitted into the guild 'Zinn 'Himmel.' and acquired the freedom of the city in the year fol lowing, but all trace of him is lost after 1519. The museum at lfasel preserves re(' a lit tient i cated paintings by him: "Christ Crowned with Thorns" and two "Bust Portraits of Boys," be side: which the portrait of the goldsmith Georg of Aligshlir", may also be attributed to him with tolerable certainty. .\ portrait of a young man (1518) is in the liermitage at Saint Petersburg. Consult : The biography of 1101bein the Elder. by StUtner (Berlin, 189(1 et. seq.) : also Woltmann, Ilolbrin unit seine Zeit' (Ixip zig, 1873-76).