Portrait of a Man (Sir Ralph Sadler?)

Hans Holbein the Younger

1535 · Oil and gold on oak · European Paintings

During his second sojourn in London (1532–43), Holbein catered primarily to Henry VIII’s requests, but he also worked for many courtiers who were eager to have their portraits made by the king’s painter. He began such commissions by capturing the likeness of the sitter on paper. This portrait of an unidentified twenty-eight-year-old man can be directly linked to a preparatory study (Royal Collection, Windsor Castle). The masterfully executed drawing was used for transfer, since its incised lines match the contours of the portrait precisely. Holbein left the painting’s execution to a workshop assistant.

Artist

Hans Holbein the Younger

Date

1535

Medium

Oil and gold on oak

Department

European Paintings

Credit line

The Jules Bache Collection, 1949