Francesco BARTOLOZZI after Hans Holbein

PORTRAIT OF HANS HOLBEIN AT KENSINGTON PALACE
PORTRAIT OF HOLBEIN’S WIFE AT KENSINGTON PALACE

9½ x 12¾ inches

A pair of stipple plate etchings by Francesco Bartolozzi after the portraits by Hans Holbein, published in London by Chamberlaine, 1798. This famous self-portrait of the great sixteenth century Flemish artist, Hans Holbein, and the accompanying portrait of his wife formed part of the collection at Kensington Palace. Holbein first came to England in 1526 and fell in with Sir Thomas More and his influential circle who were quick to commission his talents. He returned to Basel for a while but soon found that he was required to go back to London where, from 1532 onwards, he enjoyed the support and patronage of Henry VIII and his court.

Francesco Bartolozzi was born in Florence in 1728 and died in Lisbon in 1815. He began his working life by reproducing the works of Italian painters but came to England in 1764 where he was commissioned to reproduce Guercino’s drawings in the Royal Collection. By the time these prints were commissioned he had been officially appointed Historical Engraver to George III.

£485