Holbein had been given only two years leave of absence by the authorities in Basle and in 1528 returned there and bought a house. The uncertain situation for artists in Basle was largely the result of ecclesiastical politics: during Holbein's absence the Reformation had increasingly gained ground finding more and more supporters of Luther. This resulted in the lack of clients for religious works such as altarpieces or private devotional pictures.
Holbein was not completely inactive over the next four years. He did further work on the Council Chamber decorations in Basle town hall; he produced designs for book illustrations and stained glass; he painted Erasmus again.
One of Holbein's most moving paintings dates from this second Basle period, that of his wife and two children. In the Darmstadt Madonna of 1526 all remnants of a Gothic format have gone; of all Holbein's paintings this most nearly approaches the grandeur and calm symmetry of Italian Renaissance compositions.
Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 2 minutes): Michael Praetorius: Motet |
Summary of paintings by Hans Holbein the Younger |
1515-19 | 1519-25 | altarpieces | 1526-28 | 1529-31 |
1532-35 | Ambassadors | Henry VIII and his family | 1536-43 |
drawings and woodcuts | miniatures | Miscellaneous works |