Hans Holbein the Younger
Hans Holbein the Younger’s father was Hans Holbein the Elder (!), who was instrumental in shifting German art from Gothic to Renaissance.
The fact that his son and student’s drawing style looks quite similar confirms my growing understanding that artistic ability has to do with constant practice over and above innate talent (encouraging, for those of us who are starting from zero).
I’m using Mona Brook’s books as a basis for my art lessons this year, which focus on that idea.
Hans was born in Augsburg and worked with his brother Ambrosius as a religious artist in Basel. His portraits of humanist scholar Erasmus gave him international fame. To the right you can see his brother Ambrosius’ “Portrait of a Young Man” next to Hans’ “Portrait of Erasmus of Rotterdam,” showing, again, a similarity probably born of similar training.
While in Basel, Holbein married, had a son, and became involved with Protestantism, illustrating the title page of Luther’s Bible.
Erasmus found Holbein a job in England through Thomas More, and he was introduced to the royal court. Back in Basel, he painted more religious pictures, and then was back at Henry VIII’s court, where his style became more focused on faces. After the death and disgrace of his patrons, Anne Boleyn, Thomas Cromwell, and Thomas More, he turned to private portraits and died at 45.
The fact that his son and student’s drawing style looks quite similar confirms my growing understanding that artistic ability has to do with constant practice over and above innate talent (encouraging, for those of us who are starting from zero).
I’m using Mona Brook’s books as a basis for my art lessons this year, which focus on that idea.
Hans was born in Augsburg and worked with his brother Ambrosius as a religious artist in Basel. His portraits of humanist scholar Erasmus gave him international fame. To the right you can see his brother Ambrosius’ “Portrait of a Young Man” next to Hans’ “Portrait of Erasmus of Rotterdam,” showing, again, a similarity probably born of similar training.
While in Basel, Holbein married, had a son, and became involved with Protestantism, illustrating the title page of Luther’s Bible.
Erasmus found Holbein a job in England through Thomas More, and he was introduced to the royal court. Back in Basel, he painted more religious pictures, and then was back at Henry VIII’s court, where his style became more focused on faces. After the death and disgrace of his patrons, Anne Boleyn, Thomas Cromwell, and Thomas More, he turned to private portraits and died at 45.
Erasmus recommended Holbein to More, and I think this portrait of More is quite worshipful. Like Raphael's "Portrait of a Young Woman," Holbein has used brown tones and a green background to emphasize More's intense brown eyes.
Everything about this portrait says masculine, powerful, intense, determined. More was a prelate, which also comes through in the slightly worried eyebrows. More seems to be looking into infinity, and resolutely pondering what he sees.
I would call this a masterwork because it so skillfully evokes a personality.
Everything about this portrait says masculine, powerful, intense, determined. More was a prelate, which also comes through in the slightly worried eyebrows. More seems to be looking into infinity, and resolutely pondering what he sees.
I would call this a masterwork because it so skillfully evokes a personality.
How to Draw Facial Expressions Lesson
Lesson Title: Facial Expressions
Grade: K - 9 self-contained classroom
Key Vocabulary: Names of facial features (possibly important for K - 2), names of expressions (possibly important for the Asperger's student).
Visuals/Resources: Websites on expressions, Manga book on expressions.
Connections to Prior Knowledge: Children are learning how to gauge each other's moods. Learning how to draw particular moods might help.
Content Objectives: 1. Recognize expressions, 2. be able to reproduce some expressions from exemplars, and 3. create an expressive face.
Meaningful Activities: 1. Mini-lecture on facial expressions, exemplars from students: "look lazy," "look hopeful," etc. 2. 15-minute stations: cartoons of different facial expressions, memorize if older student. 3. 30-minute masterwork session: draw a portrait of a classmate with a distinctive expression.
Supplies: Teacher-made exemplars.
Review/Assessment: Art journal
Language Objective: Use appropriate vocabulary when sharing journal.
Grade: K - 9 self-contained classroom
Key Vocabulary: Names of facial features (possibly important for K - 2), names of expressions (possibly important for the Asperger's student).
Visuals/Resources: Websites on expressions, Manga book on expressions.
Connections to Prior Knowledge: Children are learning how to gauge each other's moods. Learning how to draw particular moods might help.
Content Objectives: 1. Recognize expressions, 2. be able to reproduce some expressions from exemplars, and 3. create an expressive face.
Meaningful Activities: 1. Mini-lecture on facial expressions, exemplars from students: "look lazy," "look hopeful," etc. 2. 15-minute stations: cartoons of different facial expressions, memorize if older student. 3. 30-minute masterwork session: draw a portrait of a classmate with a distinctive expression.
Supplies: Teacher-made exemplars.
Review/Assessment: Art journal
Language Objective: Use appropriate vocabulary when sharing journal.
Hans Holbein Lesson
Lesson Title: Hans Holbein and the Portrait
Grade: K - 9 self-contained classroom
Key Vocabulary: Court Painter, expression, mood
Resources: Mom's book on Hans Holbein, art sourcebook on facial expression, Manga book on facial expression.
Connections to Prior Knowledge: How are people's personalities shown in their faces? We are talking a lot about bullying and how to come across as kindly in school. We can talk about expressions in this context.
Content Objectives: 1. Recognize Holbein's style 2. Recognize expressions 3. Draw expressions. 4. Connect colors with mood
Meaningful Activities: 1. Mini-lecture on Holbein's life and works, esp. using color to enhance facial expression. 2. 15-minute stations: Copy various simplified facial expressions, memorize if an older student. 3. 30-minute masterwork session: draw a fellow student using colors and facial expression to create a mood.
Supplies: Teacher-made exemplars, magazine photos of faces.
Review/Assessment: Art journal
Language Objective: Use appropriate vocabulary when sharing journal.
Grade: K - 9 self-contained classroom
Key Vocabulary: Court Painter, expression, mood
Resources: Mom's book on Hans Holbein, art sourcebook on facial expression, Manga book on facial expression.
Connections to Prior Knowledge: How are people's personalities shown in their faces? We are talking a lot about bullying and how to come across as kindly in school. We can talk about expressions in this context.
Content Objectives: 1. Recognize Holbein's style 2. Recognize expressions 3. Draw expressions. 4. Connect colors with mood
Meaningful Activities: 1. Mini-lecture on Holbein's life and works, esp. using color to enhance facial expression. 2. 15-minute stations: Copy various simplified facial expressions, memorize if an older student. 3. 30-minute masterwork session: draw a fellow student using colors and facial expression to create a mood.
Supplies: Teacher-made exemplars, magazine photos of faces.
Review/Assessment: Art journal
Language Objective: Use appropriate vocabulary when sharing journal.