Hans Holbein the Younger

Send a letter to the Editor

Save to Del.icio.us Digg this

The work belongs to a private collector in Zurich. It was sold at a minor auction in Paris in September 2000 for €2,000 ($2,850), consigned by a beneficiary of Princess Marie de Robech Levis-Mirepoix, who was the last descendent of the distinguished Lamoignon family. The painting was cleaned and the dark, later background removed to reveal the fine quality of the work.

Peter van der Coelen, curator at the Boijmans Van Beuningen, records the portrait as by Holbein and dates it to around 1530 in the catalogue for the exhibition, "Images of Erasmus." In his catalogue essay, Coelen more cautiously says that "it comes very close to Holbein himself."

Some scholars agree with the attribution; others suggest that it was done by "a follower or assistant of Holbein." The Boijmans will hold a symposium to discuss the issue on January 23. "Images of Erasmus" remains on view until February 8.