Portraits Painted by Assistants in the Workshop of Hans Holbein the Younger?

Hans Holbein the Younger was a 16th century 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. 

 

          Works Cited: 

- Foister, Susan. “Holbein - Technique and Imitation.” National Portrait Gallery. 

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

- Holbein the Younger, Hans. “An Unidentified Man.” Royal Collection Trust. 

- Holbein the Younger, Hans. “Edward VI as a Child.” National Gallery of Art. 

- Holbein the Younger, Hans. “Elizabeth, Lady Rich.” Royal Collection Trust. 

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

- Studio of Hans Holbein the Younger. “Portrait of Jane Seymour.” Mauritshuis. 

- Studio of Hans Holbein the Younger. “Edward, Prince of Wales.” Denver Art Museum. 

- Workshop of Hans Holbein the Younger. “Edward VI, when Duke of Cornwall.” The Met Museum. 

- Workshop of Hans Holbein the Younger. “Henry VIII.” National Museums Liverpool. 

- Workshop of Hans Holbein the Younger. “Lady Lee.” The Met Museum. 

- Workshop of Hans Holbein the Younger. “Lady Rich.” The Met Museum. 

- Workshop of Hans Holbein the Younger. “Portrait of a Man.” The Met Museum. 

- Workshop of Hans Holbein the Younger. “Portrait of a Young Woman.” The Met Museum.

 

 

Evolution of Blackwork Embroidery in 16th Century England: Holbein Stitch to Curvilinear Patterns

In 16th century England, blackwork embroidery started out as a geometric counted double-running stitch, also known as Spanish stitch and/or Holbein stitch. However, by the 1540's, the curvilinear swirly, floral embroidery, also referred to as blackwork, began to gain popularity over the previous geometric embroidery.

 

In this video, I discuss a brief history about the origins of blackwork and when it became popular in England. I provide various examples of what is included in this category known as blackwork embroidery. 

 

          Works Cited

- 16th Century Embroidery and Lace Pattern Modelbuchs Available Online. https://tudorblackwork.blogspot.com/2023/12/16th-century-embroidery-and-lace.html 

- A short but jam packed history of Mamluk embroidery by Mistress Miriam bat Shimeon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaYVEJbsUWQ 

- Bess of Hardwick. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bess_of_Hardwick#/media/File:Bess_of_Hardwick_as_Mistress_St_Lo.jpg 

- Booklet of Embroidery. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/221650 

- Coif. https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O251169/coif-unknown/ 

- Coif. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/228945 

- Coif and Forehead Cloth. https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O251244/coif-and-forehead-unknown/ 

- Coif. https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O357611/coif-unknown/ 

- Embroidery. https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O362988/embroidery/embroidery-unknown/ 

- Hans Hofer's Formbuchlein from 1545. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89092522796&seq=29 

- Jane Seymour. https://www.khm.at/en/objectdb/detail/966/ 

- Miriam's Middle Eastern Research Blog. https://awalimofstormhold.wordpress.com/ 

- Mrs. Jane Small. https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O16583/mrs-jane-small-formerly-mrs-portrait-miniature/ 

- Nightcap. https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O357668/nightcap-unknown/ 

- Portrait of a Noble Boy with a Maroset. KunstMuseum Basel. 

- Portrait of a Young Woman. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436667 

- Smock Part. https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O78732/smock-part-unknown/ 

- Unknown Woman. https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw01146/Unknown-woman-formerly-known-as-Catherine-Howard