Portret van Hans Holbein 1614 - 1648

Andries Stock created this portrait of Hans Holbein sometime between 1572 and 1648, which was a tumultuous period marked by religious conflicts and the rise of powerful merchant classes. Holbein, who died nearly 30 years before Stock was born, would have been a somewhat mythical figure. The print presents Holbein, who was famous for his portraits of wealthy merchants and members of the English court. Stock, who was working during the Dutch Golden Age, engages with ideas around the construction of fame and historical memory, emphasizing Holbein's identity as a celebrated painter. The text below the portrait, inscribed in Latin, reflects the era’s humanist values and focus on classical learning. It positions Holbein within a lineage of celebrated artists, subtly reinforcing the intellectual and cultural prestige associated with artistic achievement. What feelings does the portrait evoke? What does it mean to memorialize someone?