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Hans Holbein the Younger Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Hans Holbein the Younger · 1497 – 1543

Double Portrait of Jean de Dinteville and Georges de Selve (also known as The Ambassadors)

View the most popular artwork of Hans Holbein the Younger ranked #1: Double Portrait of Jean de Dinteville and Georges de Selve (also known as The Ambassadors)

1533 · National Gallery, London · original 207 x 209 cm

Explore Hans Holbein’s ‘The Ambassadors’! A Renaissance masterpiece brimming with symbolism & anamorphic detail. Discover power, knowledge & mortality in this iconic 1533 painting.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20032 × 31 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1424209 × 207 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Nikolaus Kratzer

1528 · The Louvre, Paris · original 83 x 67 cm

Discover Hans Holbein the Younger's masterful 1528 portrait of Nikolaus Kratzer, Renaissance astronomer to Henry VIII. Explore the symbolism & detail of this iconic work.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$31067 × 83 cm Commission at original size

The Body of the Dead Christ in the Tomb

1521 · Öffentliche Kunstsammlung, Basel

Experience Hans Holbein’s haunting 'Dead Christ.' A masterpiece of Northern Renaissance realism, explore its profound symbolism & visceral impact. High-quality reproductions available.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17580 × 13 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of the Merchant Georg Gisze

1532 · Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Berlin · original 96 x 85 cm

Admire Hans Holbein’s ‘Portrait of Georg Gisze,’ a masterpiece of Northern Renaissance portraiture. Explore its symbolism & historical significance – a stunning 1532 oil painting.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17530 × 34 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$38685 × 96 cm Commission at original size

Darmstadt Madonna

1526 · original 146 x 102 cm

Discover Hans Holbein’s ‘Darmstadt Madonna’! A masterpiece of Renaissance art – explore its rich symbolism, exquisite detail & historical significance. Perfect for art lovers.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$27527 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$681102 × 146 cm Commission at original size

Edward, Prince of Wales

1543 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 32 x 32 cm

Admire Hans Holbein the Younger's 'Edward, Prince of Wales,' a stunning 1543 portrait showcasing royal elegance and intricate detail from the Northern Renaissance.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17532 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$17632 × 32 cm Commission at original size

A Lady with a Squirrel and a Starling (Anne Lovell?)

1526 · National Gallery, London · original 56 x 38 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$20938 × 56 cm Commission at original size

The Ambassadors

1533 · National Gallery, London · original 207 x 209 cm

Holbein's 'The Ambassadors' is a Renaissance masterpiece filled with symbolism & an anamorphic skull. Explore its secrets at the National Gallery, London.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17532 × 31 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1399209 × 207 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Benedikt von Hertenstein

1517 · Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york · original 52 x 38 cm

Hans Holbein the Younger (c. 1497-1543) was a German-Swiss Renaissance painter renowned for his realistic portraits, especially of Tudor royalty like Henry VIII. Explore his masterpieces at ArtsDot and discover his legacy in Northern Renaissance art

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$20438 × 52 cm Commission at original size

Double Portrait of Jean de Dinteville and Georges de Selve (aka The Ambassadors) [detail]

View the most popular artwork of Hans Holbein the Younger ranked #10: Double Portrait of Jean de Dinteville and Georges de Selve (aka The Ambassadors) [detail]

1533 · National Gallery, London

Holbein's 'The Ambassadors' is a Renaissance masterpiece filled with symbolism & an anamorphic skull. Explore its secrets at the National Gallery, London.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17537 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of Sir Henry Guildford

1527 · Royal Collection, London · original 81 x 66 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$30366 × 81 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Jane Seymour

1537 · Mauritshuis, The Hague · original 26 x 18 cm

Admire Hans Holbein the Younger's masterpiece 'Portrait of Jane Seymour,' capturing Queen Elizabeth I's serene beauty and regal poise with meticulous detail. Explore its history at Mauritshuis & discover Holbein’s legacy.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

An Allegory of the Old and New Testaments

1530 · Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh

Discover Hans Holbein the Younger's 1530 masterpiece, 'An Allegory of the Old and New Testaments.' A detailed Northern Renaissance religious painting rich in symbolism, realism, and moral storytelling. Perfect for art collectors.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17535 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Jane Seymour, Queen of England

1536 · Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna · original 407 x 654 cm

Painted during Henry VIII's reign, this portrait reflects the political and personal drama of the era. Jane Seymour's role as the only queen buried with the king underscores her significance.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17525 × 40 cm Commission this artwork

Sir Brian Tuke

1527 · National Gallery of Art, Washington · original 49 x 39 cm

Holbein’s meticulous observation transformed Sir Brian Tuke into an embodiment of Tudor ambition and responsibility. Recognized for his portraits and religious works.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$20239 × 49 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Sir William Butts

1543 · Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston · original 47 x 37 cm

Sir William Butts

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$19737 × 47 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Sir Richard Southwell

1536 · Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence · original 38 x 47 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$19838 × 47 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Robert Cheseman

1533 · Mauritshuis, The Hague · original 59 x 62 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17532 × 31 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$25462 × 59 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Nobleman with a falcon

1542 · original 25 x 19 cm

“Portrait of Nobleman with a falcon” by Hans Holbein the Younger (1542) exemplifies Northern Renaissance realism—a masterful depiction of nobility featuring meticulous detail & symbolic elements. Explore this iconic piece at ArtsDot!

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Christina of Denmark, Ducchess of Milan

1538 · National Gallery, London · original 179 x 83 cm

Hans Holbein the Younger (1497-1543) was a German Renaissance painter renowned for his portraits of royalty and nobility, achieving unparalleled realism through meticulous observation and technique.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17521 × 47 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$58083 × 179 cm Commission at original size

Ambassadors

Explore Hans Holbein’s ‘Ambassadors’! A Renaissance masterpiece brimming with symbolism & realism. Discover this iconic 1533 portrait's rich history & intricate details.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$20032 × 32 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of Erasmus of Rotterdam

1523 · National Gallery, London · original 76 x 51 cm

Holbein's iconic portrait of Erasmus captures the Renaissance scholar's intellect and contemplative nature. A masterpiece of realism and symbolism.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$26051 × 76 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of John Chambers

1543 · Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna · original 58 x 40 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17526 × 38 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$21440 × 58 cm Commission at original size

Thomas Cromwell

1533 · The Frick Collection, New York City · original 78 x 64 cm

Portrait of Thomas Cromwell by Hans Holbein the Younger – A masterful Renaissance portrait capturing Henry VIII's advisor’s solemn gaze and symbolic attire at The Frick Collection.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17529 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$29364 × 78 cm Commission at original size

Sir Brian Tuke

1534 · original 67 x 58 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 393 artworks by Hans Holbein the Younger
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$26058 × 67 cm Commission at original size

The artist

Hans Holbein the Younger

1497 – 1543

Quick facts

Museums on APSLos Angeles County Museum of Art, Kunstmuseum Basel, Mauritshuis, The Louvre, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Mediumsoil on panel, acrylic on canvas
Copyright statusPublic domain
Top-ranked workDouble Portrait of Jean de Dinteville and Georges de Selve (also known as The Ambassadors)
Best occasionsaccent, statement
Emotional tonereflective
Works on APS393
Color intensitymonochromatic, balanced

Biography

Early Life, Family and Training

To understand the precision of Hans Holbein the Younger, one must look to the workshop of his father, Hans Holbein the Elder. Born around 1497 in Augsburg, Germany, the artist was born into a lineage of technical rigor. His training was not a matter of abstract inspiration but a direct inheritance of craft. He received his first painting lessons from both his father and his grandfather, a foundation that prioritized the meticulous observation required for high-level draughtsmanship. This familial structure ensured that the technical standards of the German tradition were ingrained in him before he ever sought a broader stage.

The artist did not work in isolation. His brother, Ambrosius Holbein, shared this upbringing, and the two were part of a family deeply rooted in the production of religious and secular art. This early exposure to the mechanics of pigment and woodcut prepared him for the professional demands of the Swiss and English markets. His development moved from the domestic sphere of the Augsburg workshop to the structured professional environment of Basel. There, he was apprenticed to Hans Herbster, a leading painter of the region. This period of formal apprenticeship provided the necessary refinement to transition from a student of a family trade to a professional artist capable of navigating the complex social hierarchies of the Renaissance.

The Formative Years in Basel

Holbein’s time in Basel was a period of professional consolidation that transformed him from an apprentice into a settled, recognized practitioner. Moving to the city with his brother around 1515, he entered an environment driven by the printing trade. He did not merely paint; he functioned as a vital component of the local industry, working as a designer of woodcuts and metalcuts for printers. This technical discipline required a level of precision that would define his later approach to portraiture. By 1519, he had secured his status by becoming a member of the Basel artists' guild, and by 1520, he had attained the rank of burgher. These were not just administrative milestones; they were the markers of a professional who had mastered the mechanics of his craft.

His output during these years was diverse, spanning religious works and intricate woodcut designs. He moved between the demands of traditional piety and the burgeoning needs of the printing press. This duality allowed him to develop a visual language that could handle both the spiritual weight of religious subjects and the sharp, graphic clarity required for printmaking. His ability to navigate these different formats ensured his reputation grew beyond the local workshop. He was no longer just a son of an Augsburg painter; he was a central figure in the Basel artistic landscape.

The Dance of Death (series of woodcuts)

Patrons and the Tudor Court

Holbein’s arrival in England in 1526 was facilitated by a letter of introduction from Erasmus, a connection that immediately placed him within the influential humanist circle of Thomas More. This was no mere social introduction; it was a strategic entry into the intellectual and political nerve center of the Tudor era. His ability to translate the complexities of this high-stakes environment into visual form made him indispensable to the ruling class. By 1536, his status was solidified when he was appointed King's Painter to Henry VIII. This position granted him unprecedented access to the heart of English power, moving him beyond the realm of simple portraiture and into the service of the state itself.

His professional reach extended to the most powerful figures of the sixteenth century, including Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell. He did not limit his output to large-scale oil paintings. His technical precision was applied to the design of jewelry, plate, and various other precious objects, proving his utility as a designer of luxury goods for the court. This versatility ensured his presence in every facet of royal life, from the intimate details of personal adornment to the public projection of monarchical authority. His work functioned as a visual record of a regime in constant flux.

Portrait of Henry VIII, King of England (1535)
Portrait of Anne of Cleves (1539)
Portrait of Catherine Howard (1540)

Technique and Artistic Style

Holbein’s work operates through a Northern Renaissance style that prioritizes a hyper-realistic clarity. He did not rely on vague impressions; instead, he used oil paint to achieve vivid colors and a level of precise detail that makes the subjects feel immediate. His technical control allowed him to render the specific textures of fur, the cold glint of gold jewelry, and the heavy weight of silk with remarkable accuracy. This was not mere decoration. Every thread and surface was a deliberate choice in his construction of a sitter's presence.

Beyond the surface, his compositions often employed symbolic objects to convey deeper meaning. He used these items to embed layers of intellect and social status into his portraits. A broken string on a lute or a specific scientific instrument was never accidental. These details forced the viewer to look past the physical likeness to understand the underlying tensions of the era. His ability to balance this heavy symbolism with a direct, unflinching gaze is what gives his work its lasting weight.

The Ambassadors (1533)
Portrait of Nikolaus Kratzer (1528)

Masterpieces of Portraiture

Holbein’s ability to fix a subject in time relies on a clinical, almost surgical precision. In his 1523 Portrait of Erasmus, he moved beyond simple likeness to capture the intellectual weight of the scholar. This wasn't about idealization; it was about the specific, physical reality of a man defined by thought. He applied this same unflinching gaze to the power structures of the Tudor court. His 1536 Portrait of Jane Seymour and the 1539 Portrait of Anne of Cleves function as visual records of the shifting female presence within the English monarchy. These works do not rely on soft edges or vague gestures. They use sharp lines and heavy textures to document the status and physical presence of the women who occupied the center of political life.

The 1533 work The Ambassadors remains his most complex exercise in visual intelligence. It is a double portrait that uses a dense collection of scientific objects to build a narrative of worldly knowledge and religious tension. The inclusion of an anamorphic skull requires the viewer to change their physical perspective to see the truth of the image. This intellectual trickery is matched by the 1540 Portrait of Henry VIII, which uses clothing and jewelry to project an image of absolute authority. He did not paint the man so much as he painted the office he held. The result is a body of work that functions as a high-resolution archive of the 16th century.

Portrait of Erasmus (1523)
The Ambassadors (1533)
Portrait of Jane Seymour (1536)
Portrait of Anne of Cleves (1539)
Portrait of Henry VIII (1540)

Later Years and Death

By 1532, Holbein had settled in London, firmly established within the high-stakes environment of the Tudor court. His position as King's Painter to Henry VIII meant his brush was constantly engaged with the most powerful figures of the English monarchy. This period was defined by a relentless output of royal and noble portraiture, documenting a court in constant political and religious flux. He was no longer a traveling artist seeking patronage; he was a central visual architect of the English state.

His life was cut short by the plague. He died in London in 1543, with the exact date falling between 7 October and 29 November. The suddenness of his death left the English court without its primary visual chronicler at a moment of intense historical transition. He left behind a body of work that functions as a precise, unvarnished record of the 16th century.

Legacy and Lasting Influence

Holbein's impact is measured by the standard of realism he established for the 16th century. He moved beyond mere likeness to achieve a level of psychological insight that remains a benchmark for portraiture. His ability to render the specific textures of heavy velvet, cold steel, and fine fur creates a sense of presence that feels immediate. This technical precision was never about decoration; it was an exercise in intellectual curiosity and innovation. He used visual language to document the human condition with a clarity that avoids the idealization common in other Renaissance works.

His portraits function as essential historical windows. Through his brush, we see the faces and the intellectual weight of the humanists who shaped European thought, such as Desiderius Erasmus and Thomas More. He did not merely record the appearance of the Tudor court; he captured the tension and the personalities of the individuals within it. This directness ensures his work remains a primary source for understanding the social and political shifts of his era. His legacy is found in this intersection of precise observation and deep character study.

The Ambassadors (1533)
Portrait of Erasmus (1523)
Portrait of Henry VIII (1535)
Portrait of Anne of Cleves (1539)

Where to See His Works Today

To encounter the physical reality of Holbein’s precision, one must look to the major collections of Europe and North America. The National Gallery in London maintains a significant presence of his output, providing a direct link to the Tudor era through several of his portraits. In Paris, the Louvre contains his portraits, offering a view of his technical execution within the context of French collections. These works remain essential for understanding how he rendered the textures of the 16th century.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York houses his paintings, allowing for a close inspection of his ability to capture individual presence. For those interested in the artist's roots, the Kunstmuseum Basel holds an extraordinary assemblage dedicated to the Holbein family. This collection provides a necessary perspective on the lineage of his talent and the workshop traditions that shaped his early career.

The Ambassadors (1533) - National Gallery, London
Portrait of Erasmus (1523) - National Gallery, London
Portrait of Nikolaus Kratzer (1528) - The Louvre, Paris
Edward, Prince of Wales (1543) - Metropolitan Museum of Art, new york

Questions & Answers

Where can I see Hans Holbein the Younger's artworks arranged by atmosphere?

The artist's Mood Room page shows Hans Holbein the Younger's artworks arranged by their atmosphere.

What aliases or alternate names does Hans Holbein the Younger have?

Hans Holbein the Younger appears under the alternate names Hans Holby, Hans Ubeno, Hans II Holben, Giovanni Holbense, Orbens Svizzero.

Can I sort Hans Holbein the Younger's artworks by color?

The Spectral Index of Hans Holbein the Younger is a page that organizes the artist's artworks by their colors.

By the ArtsDot.com Editorial Team Updated Oct. 13, 2026

Collector's quiz

In which city was Hans Holbein the Younger born?
Who was Hans Holbein the Younger's father?
To which English monarch was Holbein appointed as court painter in 1536?
Which famous humanist scholar provided Holbein with a letter of introduction to England?
In which year was the painting 'The Ambassadors' created?

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