Where can you see Hans Holbein the Younger in London?

At the National Gallery: The Ambassadors and Christina of Denmark, Duchess of Milan. Museums move and lend their works, so check before a special journey.

What is Hans Holbein the Younger's most famous work in London?

The Ambassadors, of 1533, at the National Gallery. Two young Frenchmen stand either side of shelves loaded with globes, a lute with a broken string and instruments for measuring the heavens. Across the floor lies a skull, stretched so that it can be seen only from the side.

When and where was Hans Holbein the Younger born?

About 1497, at Augsburg, Germany. Hans Holbein the Younger died in 1543, at London, England, aged about 46.

What is Hans Holbein the Younger known for?

Painted The Ambassadors in London in 1533. Christina of Denmark sat for him for three hours, in Brussels, in 1538. He died in London in 1543. Hans Holbein the Younger was a German painter, of the Northern Renaissance.

Painter, 1497 to 1543

Hans Holbein the Younger

Holbein spent his best years in London as painter to Henry VIII and died here of the plague. The National Gallery has the two full-length portraits that show why the king wanted him.

Born: 1497, Augsburg, Germany
Died: 1543, London, England
Movement: Northern Renaissance
In London: 2 works in 1 museum

Where to see Hans Holbein the Younger in London

Each work with the museum it hangs in. Museums move and lend their works, so check before a special journey.

The National Gallery2 works

The Ambassadors
1533
Two young Frenchmen stand either side of shelves loaded with globes, a lute with a broken string and instruments for measuring the heavens. Across the floor lies a skull, stretched so that it can be seen only from the side.
Christina of Denmark, Duchess of Milan
1538
A widow of sixteen in mourning, full length against a blue-green wall. Henry VIII was looking for a fourth wife and sent Holbein to paint her. She is said to have answered that if she had two heads, one would be at his service.

The life of Hans Holbein the Younger

Hans Holbein was born in Augsburg about 1497, the son of a painter, and made his name in Basel. He came to England in 1526 with a letter from Erasmus to Thomas More, went home, and returned for good in 1532. He became painter to the king and died in London in 1543, probably of the plague.

More, who would not accept the king's break with Rome, was beheaded in 1535. Cromwell, who managed that break, followed him in 1540. Henry Clay Frick bought their portraits three years apart and hung them either side of his chimneypiece, where they have looked past each other ever since.

What to know

Painted The Ambassadors in London in 1533
Christina of Denmark sat for him for three hours, in Brussels, in 1538
He died in London in 1543

Born: About 1497, Augsburg, Germany
Died: 1543, London, England

Hans Holbein the Younger: common questions

Where can you see Hans Holbein the Younger in London?: At the National Gallery: The Ambassadors and Christina of Denmark, Duchess of Milan. Museums move and lend their works, so check before a special journey.
What is Hans Holbein the Younger's most famous work in London?: The Ambassadors, of 1533, at the National Gallery. Two young Frenchmen stand either side of shelves loaded with globes, a lute with a broken string and instruments for measuring the heavens. Across the floor lies a skull, stretched so that it can be seen only from the side.
When and where was Hans Holbein the Younger born?: About 1497, at Augsburg, Germany. Hans Holbein the Younger died in 1543, at London, England, aged about 46.
What is Hans Holbein the Younger known for?: Painted The Ambassadors in London in 1533. Christina of Denmark sat for him for three hours, in Brussels, in 1538. He died in London in 1543. Hans Holbein the Younger was a German painter, of the Northern Renaissance.