The humiliation of emperor valerian by shapur, king of persia. Pen and ink over preliminary chalk drawing, grey wash, and watercolour, 28. 5 × 26. 8, kunstmuseum basel. Holbein drew this as a design for his murals for the council chamber of the town hall in basel. Apart from a few fragments, the murals themselves are now lost. This drawing comes from the first phase of holbein's work on the project, when classical narratives were used to remind councillors of the need for good government and warn against the abuse of power. (when holbein resumed the work after his two-year visit to england (1526–28), the reformed council commissioned him to illustrate old testament stories. ) here the roman emperor valerian (253–60) is humiliated by the sassanid high king shapur (242–72), who used him as a mounting block to climb on his horse. Date: 1521.
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