“The Arrogance of Rehoboam,” created by Hans Holbein the Younger in 1530 in Germany, is an evocative historical painting exemplifying the Northern Renaissance movement. Rendered in chalk and ink on paper, the artwork measures 22.5 by 38.3 centimeters and is currently housed in the Kunstmuseum Basel in Basel, Switzerland.
The artwork depicts a regal scene set in an elaborately arched interior, dominated by a central figure presumed to be Rehoboam, who stands under a grand canopy adorned with intricate patterns. Rehoboam, crowned and dressed in robes, appears agitated and confrontational as he addresses a group of elders and advisors. The architecture is distinctly classical, with columns and vaulted ceilings enhanced by the delicate use of line and shading. Surrounding the central figures, numerous onlookers and courtiers add to the density and narrative richness of the composition. The use of detailed attire and expressive postures conveys the tension and authority associated with the historical figure of Rehoboam, emphasizing the overarching theme of arrogance and leadership portrayed in this distinguished Renaissance piece.
