Hans Holbein the Younger (1497 or 1498-1543) – Portrait of the Wife of a Courtier of King Henry VIII of England Kunsthistorisches Museum

The circular format immediately establishes a sense of intimacy and contained observation. Here we see a young woman depicted in a three-quarter pose, her gaze directed slightly off-center, conveying a subtle impression of thoughtfulness or perhaps a fleeting moment of distraction. The dark green background serves to isolate the figure, emphasizing her pale complexion and the intricate details of her attire.
The artist meticulously rendered the textures of the fabrics. The crispness of the white linen headdress, with its carefully folded pleats and delicate edges, contrasts sharply with the softer sheen of the black bodice visible beneath. This attention to detail suggests a desire not only to represent likeness but also to showcase wealth and status through the display of fine materials.
The woman’s features are rendered with a remarkable degree of realism; her skin exhibits subtle variations in tone, hinting at underlying bone structure and vascularity. The slight flush on her cheeks and lips lends a touch of vitality to the portrait. Her eyes, painted with a cool blue hue, possess an unsettling directness that invites scrutiny while simultaneously maintaining a certain reserve.
Inscribed along the lower edge are the words ETATIS SVAE .28 and ANNO .1534, indicating her age at the time of creation (twenty-eight years) and the year itself. This inscription, typical for portraits of the period, serves as a formal record, anchoring the image in a specific historical context and reinforcing the sitter’s identity.
Beyond the straightforward representation of appearance, the portrait carries subtle subtexts related to societal expectations and female virtue. The carefully controlled pose and attire suggest adherence to conventional standards of decorum. However, the slight downward tilt of her head and the averted gaze might also be interpreted as a gesture of modesty or even a hint of melancholy. The inclusion of these details invites speculation about the woman’s inner life and the complexities of her position within the courtly hierarchy. The overall effect is one of restrained elegance and quiet dignity, presenting a carefully constructed image of a woman poised between youthful beauty and the responsibilities of adulthood.