Hans HolbeinGerman, 1497–1543The Duchess
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “The Duchess” now? Collection: Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago. Not on view at present. Checked September 29, 2026.
Chicago, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
Details
- Accession number
- 1932.1082
In the catalog
Sources
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Image: Art Institute of Chicago — CC0
In the life of Hans Holbein
The whole life1524
Journey to France
He visited France, probably in search of work at the court of Francis I; there he may have seen the portrait drawings of Jean Clouet, whose technique of drawing in colored chalks he adopted.
1526
Departure for England on Erasmus's Recommendation
On the advice of Erasmus of Rotterdam he set out for England in search of work, visiting France and the Netherlands on the way; Erasmus recommended him to Thomas More.
1526
Received into Thomas More's Humanist Circle
In England he was received by Sir Thomas More, who found him a series of commissions; in the humanist circle Holbein quickly won a high reputation. More wrote to Erasmus: "Your painter is a wonderful artist."
August 1528
Return to Basel, Purchase of a House
He returned to Basel and bought a house in the St. Johanns-Vorstadt, becoming a neighbor of the publisher Hieronymus Froben; in 1531, having grown wealthy from his English commissions, he bought the adjoining house as well.
