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Artist
Hans Holbein the Younger was either born in 1497 or 1498 in Augsburg. He died on November 29, 1543 in London and is known as one of the most important Renaissance painters. He worked, among other things, as a court painter for Henry VIII. Henry VIII thought that Holbein was a disgrace because he painted a portrait of Anne of Cleves for their wedding and according to Henry, it didn’t correspond with reality. The marriage between Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves only lasted six months and was then declared invalid. After that, Hans Holbein was never allowed to paint a member of the royal family.
Artwork
The painting “Der Kaufmann von Georg Giese is dated to 1532 and measures 96, 3 x 85, 7 cm (height x width). It was painted on oak wood.
Brief description
Giese himself probably commissioned this portrait, “The Merchant Georg Gisze”. Holbein painted it in1532. It impressively and allegorically shows in detail the workplace of a businessman of the 16th Century. An account book for accounting, a scale, a seal, writing utilities, coins and letters with readable writing unambiguously show that Giese is a merchant. The carnation in the front suggests, according to the symbolisation of that time, an engagement. Along with gold paint (I’m longing for you) and rosemary, the plant of those who love, but also the plant of death. The precision of the use of materials such as glass, wood, parchment, linen, hair, silk etc. shows Hans Holbein the Younger’s masterly skills.
Genre & Material
This painting is from the northern renaissance and was painted with oil on oak wood.
Where can I find this in Berlin?
In the Gemäldegalerie at the Kulturforum Potsdamer Platz, Matthäikirchplatz, 10785 Berlin. To find out how to get there, please click the link below the description.
Giese himself probably commissioned this portrait, “The Merchant Georg Gisze”. Holbein painted it in1532. It impressively and allegorically shows in detail the workplace of a businessman of the 16th Century. An account book for accounting, a scale, a seal, writing utilities, coins and letters with readable writing unambiguously show that Giese is a merchant. The carnation in the front suggests, according to the symbolisation of that time, an engagement. Along with gold paint (I’m longing for you) and rosemary, the plant of those who love, but also the plant of death. The precision of the use of materials such as glass, wood, parchment, linen, hair, silk etc. shows Hans Holbein the Younger’s masterly skills.
