Portraits by Hans Holbein the Younger - Essay Example

The importance of painting a portrait is to show the physical appearance of the intended subject. Portrait can also be used to refer to the painted portrait. Portraitists can make portraits of individuals who inspire them or whom they admire. A person can also make a portrait of a person with whom he or she has affection. Portraits of family members are omportant since they keep the family records and also remembrances. From a historical perspective, portraits were common to the rich and wealthy. In recent times, however, people have commissioned portraits of family members as well as colleagues (Wolf et al. 45).

Discussion

Hans Holbein is among the most accomplished and also innovative painters in history. His portraits are recognized instantly due to his creativity. Hans Holbein had a Renaissance mind and vision. The portraits he painted got made with much skill and imagination. Due to his modest attitude, the painter made pictures that were of high value. The paintings he made spoke for themselves. Hans Holbein made three paintings of a scholar Erasmus of Rotterdam, whose advice was sought by many. The painting of Erasmus of Rotterdam got done in profile. It was contrary to his usual work of having the paintings in full face (Wolf et al. 46).

The main idea of presenting the painting in profile was to show the intellectual independence that he possessed.  A person who gets painted in full reveals him or herself and must pose in a way that reveals a favorable light. However, a person who gets painted in profile allows the model to assume the artist. In the portrait of Erasmus, the turning away is revealed by the intense intellectual concentration of the scholar. It is explained by the facial expression and also the writing hand. The sharp features shown indicate a critical mind, sensitivity in his hands, and also indecision (Wolf et al. 49).

The characteristics in the portrait are made to describe the scholar carefully. The attire he was in was of simple style and also costly.  It demonstrated the beauty of simplicity and good taste the scholar possessed. The three rings the scholar had on his fingers indicated that he was not vanity free. Holbein got informed by the perspective of a single point in art. They applied antique motifs as well as architectural forms.  The painting made by Holbein on the dynastic Tudor on the white wall showed that he had prepared a large mural. The painting included 25 pieces; each piece was cut and painted on the background (Wolf et al. 50).

Conclusion

A painting should get all-inclusive and should show the inner importance of the subject. The sense should be in accordance with the painter’s point of view. It should include more than the literal likeness of the subject. In accordance with Aristotle, a portrait should present both the inward and outward signs of the subject. Due to this fact, the external manner does not make up the real reality. Most of artists strive to show photographic realism to depict their subjects; however, it is different from the caricature that makes the effort to reveal characters by exaggerating their physical appearance.