Holbein's use of silverpoint in this early drawing follows that of his father, hans holbein the elder, a gifted portraitist. Although the younger holbein went on to become a prolific and renowned portraitist in london, he produced relatively few portraits in basel. Jakob meyer, a senior official and sometime mayor of basel, became one of holbein's most important early patrons. This is a preparatory drawing for holbein's finished portrait of meyer–colour notes may be seen in the top left corner, noting the sitter's red cap and black eyes. Holbein also painted meyer's wife in a companion portrait. He later painted the work known as the darmstadt madonna, which portrays meyer with his family and the madonna and child. A staunch catholic, meyer lost his political influence during the basel reformation. (buck, pp. 13–17. ). Date: 1516. Dimensions: height: 28.1 cm (11 in); width: 19 cm (7.4 in). Medium: black pencil, paper, red chalk, silverpoint. Collection: Kunstmuseum Basel. Portrait drawing of Jakob Meyer, by Hans Holbein the Younger
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