Making 16th Century Cuffs with Holbein Stitch Embroidery | Part 1

This is a compilation of 3 embroidery patterns found on 3 different Holbein patterns: the cross, the ocean wave, and the center pattern. The cross pattern can be found near the edge of Jane Seymour's cuffs with blackwork embroidery, also known as Holbein Stitch, from Hans Holbein the Younger's painting from 1536. The ocean wave pattern was found on the 16th century collar of the Noble Boy with a Marmoset. The center pattern: In 1526, Hans Holbein the Younger painted the Darmstadt Madonna, which included Anna Meyer in the bottom right corner of the portrait. Anna had on a white dress with horizontal bands of blackwork embroidery on it (per the Textile Research Centre). 

 

Hans Holbein the Younger was a European painter, just like his older brother Ambrosius and his father, Hans the Elder. If you hear the term 'Holbein stitch', it is in reference to Hans the Younger. From his friendship with Erasmus, he had a letter of introduction and found himself in England to eventually become a court painter in the court of King Henry VIII of England. Compared to other artists at the time, Holbein painted numerous portraits with blackwork embroidery in them. 

Holbein stitch, also referred to as double-running stitch or Spanish stitch, is a reversible counted stitch used in early 16th century blackwork embroidery.

 

Above is my pattern compilation of the 3 Holbein patterns.

 

 

Above is the original pattern from Jane Seymour's cuffs. This was the inspiration of the pattern that I compiled.
 

 

Above is the Noble Boy with a Marmoset and the original Holbein pattern on his collar.

 

 Above is Anna Meyer from the Darmstadt Madonna. Also above is the original Holbein pattern at Anna's elbow.

 

       Suggested Items for Purchase: 

- Beeswax: https://amzn.to/2NHAmTF 

- Embroidery Scissors: https://amzn.to/3rKAs0W 

- Linen Fabric: https://amzn.to/3m1bsuJ 

- Embroidery Needles: https://amzn.to/45AMjMG 

 

            Works Cited: 

- Cariad. “Darmstadt Madonna.” 

- "Hidden: Unseen Paintings Beneath Tudor Portraits." National Portrait Gallery. 

- Holbein, Hans. “Self-Portrait.” Uffizi Gallery. 

- Holbein d. J., Hans. “Jane Seymour.” Kunst Historisches Museum Wien. 

- Holbein d. J., Hans. “Portrait of a Noble Boy with a Marmoset.” KunstMuseum Basel. 

- Holbein the Younger, Hans. “Darmstadt Madonna.”