Portrait of Erasmus of Rotterdam by Hans Holbein

Erasmus of Rotterdam, the great Renaissance humanist, himself ordered two portraits of Hans Holbein the Younger. And young, but already well-known 25-year-old portraitist Hans Holbein the Younger brilliantly coped with the order.

In this portrait the artist uses a profile turning of the figure, which is not typical for him, that allows him to imagine Erasmus detached from all external, earthly and to show his spiritual world. The face of this man, wise, a little tired, pensive, calm, with a slight sarcastic grin.

First of all, it is a portrait of an intellectual deeply absorbed in his thoughts. All attributes are extremely clear, laconic and restrained. The portrait, very strict in color, where only black and brown tones sound on a dark green background, sharpens our attention on the inner state of the thinker.