The artwork titled “Portrait of Charles Brandon” was created by Hans Holbein the Younger in 1541 in Germany. This piece belongs to the Northern Renaissance art movement and is a notable example of the portrait genre.
The artwork depicts a young boy adorned in dark, somber attire, indicative of the Northern Renaissance’s characteristic attention to realism and intricate detail. His clothing, a dark-toned jacket, and hat, contrast strikingly with his pale skin, emphasizing his delicate features and the soft texture of his hair. The background is a vivid blue, which serves to highlight the subject’s face and expression. The boy’s pose, leaning slightly to his left with one arm resting on a ledge inscribed with Latin text and the date, conveys a sense of pensiveness and formality. The artist’s masterful use of color and light, along with his precise rendering of textures, exemplify Hans Holbein’s exceptional skill in capturing the essence of his subject.
