Portrait of a Man in a Broad-Brimmed Hat

The Portrait of a Man in a Broad-Brimmed Hat is a highly significant preparatory drawing attributed to the Swiss 16th Century master, Hans Holbein the Younger, created circa 1526-1528. This period marks the height of the Northern Renaissance, falling within the pivotal years of 1501 to 1550, when Holbein was establishing himself as the premier portraitist in both Basel and London. The work utilizes a sophisticated mixed-media technique typical of Younger's meticulous approach to detailed studies: black chalk and wetted red chalk were carefully applied to laid paper, enhanced by a delicate brown wash used to articulate shadow, clothing texture, and volume.

Classified as a drawing, this piece demonstrates Holbein's exacting preparatory process. Unlike finished court portraits, this study focuses intensely on the structure of the sitter's face and the details of his attire, notably the characteristic broad-brimmed hat which dominates the composition. The innovative use of wetted red chalk allowed the artist to achieve remarkably subtle transitions of tone, granting the figure a lifelike immediacy. Although the identity of the sitter remains unknown, the precision and vitality of the study indicate it was a fundamental sketch intended for a larger painted work or a highly refined drawing meant to be presented to the patron for approval. Holbein’s method ensured that the final painted commission would capture the subject’s personality with profound psychological depth.

The historical importance of this Swiss artwork is carefully preserved within the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Drawings like this provide invaluable insight into the methods of a true Renaissance master working during a period of intense cultural and political change. Because seminal works from this era, particularly preparatory studies by Younger, often enter the public domain, high-quality reproductions and prints are frequently utilized and studied by students of historical portraiture and drawing technique worldwide. This piece exemplifies the technical skill and observational acuity that cemented Holbein’s legacy as one of Europe’s greatest portraitists.