Benedikt von Hertenstein (born about 1495, died 1522)
In 1517 Holbein decorated the house of Jakob von Hertenstein, a magistrate in the Swiss city of Lucerne. At the same time, he made this portrait of the magistrate’s eldest son, Benedikt, who engages the viewer both with his direct glance and the inscription in his own voice, which reads: "When I looked like this, I was twenty-two years old." Following these words is the declaration that "HH" painted the work. The artist’s use of paper mounted on wood reflects his working method. He initiated the portrait as a drawing on paper and then continued working it up in oil colors to its completion.
Artwork Details
- Title: Benedikt von Hertenstein (born about 1495, died 1522)
- Artist: Hans Holbein the Younger (German, Augsburg 1497/98–1543 London)
- Date: 1517
- Medium: Oil and gold on paper, laid down on wood
- Dimensions: Overall 20 1/2 x 15 in. (52.4 x 38.1 cm); painted surface 20 3/8 x 14 5/8 in. (51.4 x 37.1 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, aided by subscribers, 1906
- Object Number: 06.1038
- Curatorial Department: European Paintings
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