Study for the Family Portrait of Thomas More 1527

Hans Holbein the Younger's "Study for the Family Portrait of Thomas More" is a detailed black chalk drawing from 1527. It depicts the family of English humanist Thomas More, a noted scholar and lawyer who served as Lord Chancellor during the reign of King Henry VIII. The drawing is a preparatory study for a larger painting, and its complexity and detail offer a glimpse into Holbein's meticulous planning process. The drawing, currently located in Basel, Switzerland, captures the figures of More's family in a domestic setting, showcasing Holbein's mastery of portraiture and his ability to render both the physical and psychological likenesses of his subjects.