Portrait of the Artist's Sons 1515

Hans Holbein the Elder created this drawing, 'Portrait of the Artist's Sons,' using ink on paper. The choice of ink and paper emphasizes precision and control. The lines are delicate, built up with hatching to create depth and volume in the faces of his sons. Look at the detail, particularly in the rendering of their hair. This wasn’t just a casual sketch; it was a formal exercise, meant to capture likeness and perhaps also to showcase Holbein’s skill. The drawing’s social significance lies in its function, recording the appearance of these two young men for posterity, but it also speaks to the value placed on artistic skill in the Holbein family. We see here, quite literally, the passing of knowledge and tradition from father to sons, not just in the act of drawing but in the very subject matter. By focusing on these elements of material and process, we can appreciate how Holbein elevated the craft of drawing to an art form, blurring the line between the everyday and the exceptional.