The King - Hans Holbein the Younger
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
Secure checkout
Made to order
Description
A classic woodcut from Hans Holbein the Younger's Dance of Death series, depicting a monarch confronted by the inevitability of mortality.
This woodcut belongs to the famous Dance of Death series, a collection of small, highly detailed prints designed by Hans Holbein the Younger and cut by Hans Lützelburger. The series explores the medieval concept of the Danse Macabre, where Death acts as a leveller, claiming individuals from every social stratum regardless of their status or wealth.
In this specific composition, a monarch sits at a dining table, surrounded by the trappings of his royal office. A skeletal figure, representing Death, stands beside him, pouring wine into a vessel. The king remains seated, seemingly unaware or perhaps resigned to the presence of his visitor. The background features a textile hanging decorated with a fleur-de-lis pattern, while an architectural archway provides a glimpse of a city beyond.
Holbein employs precise, economical lines to define the figures and the spatial environment. The contrast between the living monarch, dressed in the elaborate fashion of the sixteenth century, and the stark, bony form of Death creates a narrative tension. The work functions as a memento mori, a reminder of the inevitability of mortality. The small scale of the woodblock allowed for wide distribution, making these images accessible to a broad audience during the period. The technical execution demonstrates the collaboration between the designer and the block cutter, who managed to achieve remarkable detail within a compact format. This print remains a significant example of Northern Renaissance graphic art, reflecting the period's preoccupation with the transient nature of earthly power.
Return policy
Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
Shipping
We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
The King - Hans Holbein the Younger
Artist Biography
Hans Holbein The Younger
He was born in Augsburg, Germany, the son of a painter also called Hans Holbein. He studied under his father and was working independently by his late teens. He moved to Basel, where he painted portraits and religious works and illustrated Erasmus's In Praise of Folly with marginal drawings. Erasmus recommended him to Thomas More in England, writing that 'the arts are freezing' in Basel and Holbein should try his luck elsewhere.
He arrived in London in 1526 and painted More's family portrait, the first group portrait of a domestic scene in Northern European art. He returned to Basel, found the Reformation had destroyed the market for religious art, and went back to England permanently in 1532.
His portraits of the Tudor court are the visual record of the period: Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell, Anne Boleyn (probably), Jane Seymour, and the succession of courtiers and merchants who populated Henry's orbit. The technique is almost supernaturally precise. The textures of fur, velvet, jewellery, and skin are rendered with a fidelity that makes other portraitists look approximate.
He was sent to paint prospective brides for Henry, including Anne of Cleves, whose portrait Henry found more attractive than the person. Holbein was not blamed. He died during a plague outbreak in London in 1543, at forty-five.
Why Choose Us ?
Damage-free delivery guarantee
Fast Shipping
Museum-Quality Materials
You May Also Like