Hans Holbein the Elder 1465 – 1524

Biography

Hans Holbein the Elder was born on January 1, 1465, in Augsburg, Germany, during a flourishing period of artistic renaissance in central Europe. He devoted his life to the art of painting, establishing himself as a significant figure in the German artistic tradition of his era. His career unfolded across the vibrant cultural landscape of the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, a time when skilled craftsmen were highly valued members of their communities.

Over nearly six decades, Holbein developed his craft and contributed to the artistic heritage of his region. He spent his later years in Basel, where he continued his work until his death on January 1, 1524—notably, on the same day of the year as his birth fifty-nine years earlier. His passing marked the end of a long life dedicated to his artistic profession, though the specific circumstances of his final years remain undocumented in historical records.