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Hans Holbein the Younger and Yellow Work

Painting of Henry VIII, by Hans Holbein  the Younger, painted c. 1536. Painting of Henry VIII, by Hans Holbein the Younger, painted c. 1536. Copyright Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Madrid, acc. no. 191 (1934.39).

The German artist, Hans Holbein the Younger (c.1497-1543), is known for his fine drawings and paintings, especially those of a religious nature, and for his portraits of North European royalty and notables. Holbein was particularly known for paintings with highly detailed elements, especially the clothing of his sitters and the embroidery used to decorate the various garments. The embroidery techniques include yellow work.

One of his works that shows an example of yellow work is a portrait of Henry VIII (c. 1536). The king is shown wearing a doublet with gold coloured yellow work around the collar, and with wide stripes of blackwork foliage on the doublet front and sleeves.

Source: BUCK, Stephanie and Jochen SANDER (eds.; 2003). Hans Holbein: Portraitist of the Renaissance, Zwolle: Uitgerij Waanders b.v.

Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum online catalogue (retrieved 29 June 2016).

GVE

Last modified on Sunday, 30 April 2017 08:19