HOLBEIN: Capturing Character – REVIEW:Litercurious.com

Litercurious Book Review

Holbein capturing character Ed. Dr Anne Woolett — Holbein: Capturing Character Ed. Anne Woolett et al

Title	Holbein: Capturing Character
Editor	Dr. Anne Woolett et al
Publisher	J. Paul Getty Museum (October 19, 2021)
Format	Hardcover
Page	192
Genre	Individual Artistic Monographs, Art Portraits, Calligraphy Guides
Language	English
ISBN#10/13	1606067478 / 978-1606067475

EDITOR

Dr. Anne Woollett is curator of paintings at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California, USA.

SYNOPSIS

HOLBEIN: Capturing Character was edited primarily by Dr. Anne Woolett. Her collaborator’s include: Ulrich Hans Birkmaier, Austėia Mackelaitė, Peter van der Coelen, and John T. Qillen. This work is a comprehensive monograph of the work of Hans Holbein The Younger (1497/98–1543). This compact Gallery Book was published to accompany the exhibition of the 16th Century renaissance Master Hans Holbein The Younger. The exhibitions at the J. Paul Getty Centre on October 19, 2021, – January 9, 2022; and continuing at the Morgan Library & Museum from February 11, 2022, to May 15, 2022.

HOLBEIN: Capturing Character, although petite at just 9×12 inches, contains a genuine treasure trove of ultra high quality plates that depict:

a selection of Holbein The Younger’s most valued paintings,
blockcutts,
woodcut illuminations,
chalk illustrations “Trois Crayons” (three chalks),
oils on panel,
engravings,
jewelry,
hat badges,
medallion designs on paper,
arabesque ornament designs on paper,
silverpoint by Hans Holbein the Elder (1460/70-1524),
designs for a stained glass window,
cartouches
paintings from tempera and oil on panel,
oil on canvas,
oil on paper glued to panel,
mixed technique¹,
a selection of ornamental lids,
page drafts,
tempera on unprimed canvas,
an example of a rundel portrait, and
studies pen and brown ink, brown and black ash ink wash and highlights of white gouache and black chalk on paper.

Anne Woolett and her associates have produced a invaluable asset for anyone who wants to study Holbein or those who simply enjoy his amazing talents.

Each listing is individually numbered and contains essential details relating to the image containing information on:

the artist, the subject where available,
the date, the material used,
the dimensions of the original,
its current location, and
the current owner if known.

Hans Holbein was an artist with unsurpassed levels of observation and the ability to translate his vision to oil on panel or many other mediums.

Additional information included in the book are:

an impressive Forward that sets the context for the reader
a detailed list of Illustration Credits
a list of short biographies covering the most notable figures who sat for Holbein
a chronology of each of the more significant works
an extensive bibliography
a list of Lenders to the exhibition, and
acknowledgements

¹(a method originally accredited to Leonardo da Vinci. It involved tempera and oil, called tempera grassa, to try and extend the limitations of the medium. He would use one part egg yolk mixed with one part linseed oil to form the binder for his pigments.)

CONCLUSION

The plates in this work are exquisite in their reproduction being large, high quality, full-color images of the Master’s works. They are accompanied by comprehensive pertinent details relating to each work of art. The Editor and her collaborators excelled at the presentation, format, and underpinned these with exquisite insights to the zeitgeist of the times.

Holbein: Capturing Character is a catalogue that is engaging, entertaining, informative and an accomplished illumination worthy of the Great Master. The subject is handled masterfully and is impeccably researched. There are extensive and detailed notes for each chapter, and in addition a short comprehensive Bibliography. Holbein: Capturing Character proved to be an addictive read.

It is often said that a thing of beauty is a joy forever and so it is for this pocket-sized library of perfection.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank Editor Dr. Anne Woolett, et al. , J. Paul Getty Museum, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to review HOLBIEN: Capturing Character.