Anne Boleyn and Hans Holbein
Anne Boleyn’s connection to the renowned artist Hans Holbein the Younger is a significant moment in Tudor history. Holbein, known for his detailed and lifelike portraits, captured the essence of Anne Boleyn in one of the most famous images of her. His painting, thought to have been created around 1533, presents Anne with a poised and regal appearance, symbolizing her status as Queen of England.
This portrait of Anne, which was likely used for diplomatic purposes, offers a glimpse into her public persona. Holbein’s meticulous style highlighted Anne’s beauty and strength, reinforcing her role as a powerful figure at court.
While no other known works by Holbein directly depict Anne, this iconic portrait remains a testament to her influence and the importance of art in shaping royal image during the Tudor period. Anne’s legacy, immortalized by Holbein’s brush, continues to captivate viewers today.
On this page you will find pictures of the various pieces that Hans Holbein designed for Anne Boleyn.
Mount Parnassus
Hans Holbein was commissioned by Anne Boleyn to design displays for her coronation processions on the 31st May and 1st June 1533. One tableau was erected in Gracechurch Street and was a representation of Apollo and the Muses on Mount Parnassus.
The Basle Cup
This cup was designed by Hans Holbein for Anne Boleyn and it featured four satyrs, a crown cover and Anne’s device, a falcon, standing on roses.
This cup has often been mixed up with the table fountain that Anne gave Henry VIII in January 1534 but Eric Ives points out that the drawing of the Basle cup is not that of a water device and the descriptions of the table fountain do not make any mention of the crown cover or the four satyrs.
The Table Fountain
This silver-gilt table fountain was commissioned by Anne Boleyn as a New Year gift for Henry VIII for New Year 1534. It is described in Letters and Papers as:-
“A goodly gilt bason, having a rail or board of gold in the midst of the brim, garnished with rubies and pearls, wherein standeth a fountain, also having a rail of gold about it garnished with diamonds; out thereof issueth water, at the teats of three naked women standing at the foot of the same fountain.” LP vii. 9
The Ambassadors
This famous Renaissance painting was painted in Spring 1533 by Hans Holbein and Eric Ives wonders if it was actually commissioned by Holbein’s patron at this time, Anne Boleyn. The pillar dial on the painting gives a date of the 11th April 1533, the very date that Henry VIII’s court was informed that Anne Boleyn was queen, so Anne may well have had something to do with this work of art.
You can read more about the history of this painting and its symbolism in my three part series which starts with “Holbein’s The Ambassadors: A Renaissance Puzzle? – Part One: Context”
- #PortraitTuesday – The Holbein drawing of Anne Boleyn
- #WednesdayFact – Anne Boleyn commissioned a special gift for Henry VIII from Holbein
- 11 April 1533 – Royal Honours Given to Anne Boleyn
- 11 April 1533 – Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII Triumphant
- 11th April 1533, Good Friday – Anne Boleyn is Queen
- Holbein’s The Ambassadors: A Renaissance Puzzle – Part Three: Jupiter and Change
- Holbein’s The Ambassadors: A Renaissance Puzzle? – Part Two: Symbols
- Holbein’s The Ambassadors: A Renaissance Puzzle? – Part One: Context
- Anne Boleyn’s Faith
Hi Claire, do we have any primary sources that tell us about the relationship between Anne and Hans Holbein? Were they friends, would he dine with her and Henry etc. or do we have any snippets of conversations that passed between them? I have never seen any, but wondering if you might know of something….
I’ve never found a primary source about them meeting or dining, I’m afraid – wouldn’t it have been lovely to have been a fly on the wall – but we do know that she commissioned work from him and that must have involved meetings to discuss it.
Claire, I am fascinated by your posts on Anne Boleyn. I am searching for a portrait of her by Holbein, but see references to “Unknown artist” instead. Perhaps all her images were destroyed after her execution by order of Henry? I write a color blog and Hans Holbein is my first Art History 101 subject. The post will be published in May 2014, so I have time to do more research. I have found portraits by Holbein of Thomas More and Henry, et al. Any information you may have on Anne’s true likeness would be appreciated. The sketches by Holbein are the closest I have found so far and may have to suffice.
Hi Barbara,
There is no surviving contemporary portrait of Anne Boleyn, which is very frustrating, the only contemporary image of her is the medal which has some damage to the nose. There are two sketches by Holbein which have been labelled as being Anne but nobody knows if they actually are. See https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/anne-boleyn-portraits-which-is-the-true-face-of-anne-boleyn/ for a discussion of some of the images of Anne. I hope that helps!
I am so fascinated by all things “Tudor”.. This site is so full of interesting info, I read it daily & love every minute! Thank-u so much for posting these wonderful articles & portraits. I am an American but my dream is to someday stand inside Hampton Court & just “feel” the history all around me! Since my trip to England might never happen….this site fulfills my “Tudor” fix daily! Thank-u so so much!
Given the close working relationship between AB and Hans Holbein I assume that there must have been at least one major portrait, possibly full-length. Since nothing is extant such portraits are likely to have been destroyed. However, they were valuable intrinsically. Is there any evidence that such a portrait might have been overpainted, possibly even leaving the remainder of the picture untouched? Or are we just to assume that Henry had a bonfire?
The Many Faces Of Anne Boleyn
By D.K.Milgrim-Heath©2017
The many faces of Anne Boleyn-
Her interesting portrait studies that always have been.
King Henry VIII’s Queen for England we know-
Preserved life history from centuries ago.
Queen Elizabeth I’s mother history has told-
Elizabeth I changed history as a female sovereign strong and bold!
Elegance in her many portrait faces Anne shows for sure-
So sad her life was too short too premature.
I’m wondering if further forensic research is being done on the “hidden portrait” discovered underneath the famous serpent painting of QEI? Could modern technology help us to more clearly see the image of what may possibly be Anne Boleyn, lying safely beneath the image of her daughter, Queen Elizabeth I? It brings to mind the ring Elizabeth wore till her death, carrying within its hidden compartment her own portrait, facing that of her mother, Anne.