THE KING'S PAINTER | THE LIFE AND TIMES OF HANS HOLBEIN

A mere text review couldn’t possibly do this amazing piece of work justice. If one were to judge it only on the painstakingly detailed research that must’ve gone into the text itself it would require a thesaurus-full of synonyms for “good”, but there’s the illustrations as well. Double-page spreads adorn the beginning of each chapter (see photo), and lush, detailed reproductions of Holbein’s (and his contemporaries) works make every page they appear on a joy to behold. There’s even a bookmark ribbon.

Hans Holbein is most famous for painting portraits of Henry VIII, his wives and various members of his court, but there is much more to him. Against the backdrop of the rise of Martin Luther and Protestantism, Holbein follows in his father’s footsteps and forges a career as one of most accomplished and sought after artists of his generation in his hometown of Basel. His ability opened doors to the great and the good of the day. Despite the upheavals that that era of history is known for, and his exemplary skills as an artist notwithstanding, one could argue that Holbein was definitely in the right place at the right time as the arts flourished in the early to mid-15th century.

This is one of most enjoyable history books I’ve ever read. Author Franny Moyle writes in an easy and accessible way - I wish she’d been around when I did my A-Level history! It’s not only the story of Holbein but also a history of the Tudor dynasty, and the rise and fall of its prominent players. Henry VIII’s excesses are laid bare and will no doubt draw comparisons with certain modern-day politicians. The everyday lives of historical people are so vividly brought to life that you feel like a fly on the wall - how wonderful would it have been to visit Sir Thomas More in his heyday? Or Erasmus? These historical legends come alive in this book. For scholars and lovers of Tudor history this book is essential.

As sumptuous and detailed as a Holbein painting, this stunning title must be a serious contender for book of the year. It’s without doubt one of the best history books ever written, and the definitive work on Hans Holbein.

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