Fotoreproductie van een portret van Thomas Parry door Hans Holbein before 1877

This is a reproduction of Hans Holbein's portrait of Thomas Parry, held at the Rijksmuseum. The artwork is characterized by its sanguine drawing technique, which uses red chalk to render the subject’s likeness. The composition is structured around the interplay of light and shadow, creating a sense of depth and volume on the page. Holbein's style employs precise, thin lines to define Parry's features and clothing. The subtle gradations in tone suggest a soft, diffused light, which gently models the contours of Parry’s face and hat. The texture is achieved through the layering of fine strokes, giving the portrait a delicate, almost ethereal quality. Consider the context in which Holbein created this portrait: the conventions of Renaissance portraiture aimed to capture not just physical likeness but also the sitter's social status and character. This portrait engages with Renaissance humanism, reflecting a concern with individual identity and representation. It invites us to consider how artistic techniques can be deployed to convey both physical presence and psychological depth.