Holbein and the court of Henry VIII

Hans Holbein the Younger was born in Augsburg, the second son of an artist of the same name. When he died in 1543, he left behind him one of the most remarkable records of a royal court ever made. These portraits were executed while Holbein was in London during the late 1520s, and again between 1532 and 1543. With his subtle artistry Holbein created an astonishingly vivid portrayal of the members of Henry VII's court, delineating the features of many of the leading figures of the day, including the saintly Sir Thomas Moore, the treacherous Richard Southwell and the King's third wife, Jane Seymour.