
Ambrosius Holbein (c. 1494 – c. 1519) was a German and later Swiss artist who specialized in painting, drawing, and printmaking. He was the elder brother of Hans Holbein the Younger, a German artist born in Augsburg around 1497–1498. Ambrosius is known to have worked in Basel, Switzerland, and his paintings include the Portrait of a Young Man (1518; Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg) and a Portrait of a Girl (Krannert Art Museum, Illinois). In 1516, he collaborated with his brother Hans on a pair of signboards for Schoolmaster Oswald Myconius, which are among the earliest surviving paintings by Hans Holbein the Younger. Their father, Hans Holbein the Elder, was a painter who pioneered the transformation of German art from the Gothic to the Renaissance style. He painted a portrait of his sons, Ambrosius and Hans, in 1511.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of creation | 1511 |
| Artist | Hans Holbein the Elder |
| Genre | Portrait |
| Media | Drawing |
| Style | Northern Renaissance |
| Subjects | Ambrosius Holbein, Hans Holbein the Younger |
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What You'll Learn
- Ambrosius Holbein was a German and Swiss artist in painting, drawing and printmaking
- Ambrosius was the elder brother of Hans Holbein the Younger
- Ambrosius and Hans Holbein collaborated on Signboard for Schoolmaster Oswald Myconius in 1516
- Ambrosius was born in Augsburg, a centre of art, culture and trade
- He was a prominent small format artist

Ambrosius Holbein was a German and Swiss artist in painting, drawing and printmaking
Ambrosius Holbein (c. 1494 – c. 1519) was a German and Swiss artist who specialized in painting, drawing, and printmaking. He was born in Augsburg, Bavaria, which was then a free imperial city and a center of art, culture, and trade. Holbein was the elder brother of Hans Holbein the Younger, a renowned artist in his own right. Unfortunately, Ambrosius Holbein died in his mid-twenties, leaving behind a small but significant body of work.
Holbein received his first artistic training from his father, Hans Holbein the Elder, who was a pioneer in the transformation of German art from the Gothic to the Renaissance style. In his father's studio, Holbein learned the basics of painting, as well as the crafts of the goldsmith, jeweller, and printmaker. This early exposure to art and craftsmanship laid the foundation for his future career.
One of Holbein's earliest known collaborations with his brother, Hans Holbein the Younger, is a signboard created in 1516 for Schoolmaster Oswald Myconius. The signboard is one of a pair, and it depicts the artists themselves as pupils, with one boy posing with a quill and the other pointing to written lines. This early work showcases the talent and skill of the young artists.
In 1515, Ambrosius Holbein moved to the Swiss town of Stein am Rhein, where he collaborated with painter Thomas Schmid on the murals in the main hall of the St. George monastery. This period marked the beginning of his career as a professional artist. The following year, Holbein and his brother Hans moved to Basel, where he worked as a journeyman in the studio of Hans Herbster. During this time, he also registered as a member of the Basel painters' guild, further establishing his reputation as an emerging artist.
Despite his short life, Ambrosius Holbein made significant contributions to the world of art. He is particularly renowned for his illustrations and "small format" works. Some of his best-known pieces include "Portrait of a Boy with Blond Hair" and its companion, "Portrait of a Boy with Brown Hair", both of which are now housed in the Basel Kunstmuseum. Holbein's works can also be found in renowned institutions such as the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg and the National Gallery of Art in Washington.
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Ambrosius was the elder brother of Hans Holbein the Younger
Ambrosius Holbein, born around 1494 in Augsburg, was the elder brother of Hans Holbein the Younger. Ambrosius was a German and later a Swiss artist who specialised in painting, drawing, and printmaking. He was likely introduced to these artistic techniques by his father, Hans Holbein the Elder, who was a pioneer in the transformation of German art from the Gothic to the Renaissance style. In his father's studio, Ambrosius and his younger brother received their first painting lessons, as well as an introduction to the crafts of the goldsmith, jeweller, and printmaker.
In 1515, Ambrosius is assumed to have lived in the Swiss town of Stein am Rhein, where he assisted a painter from Schaffhausen, Thomas Schmid, with the murals in the main hall of the St. George monastery. The following year, in 1516, Ambrosius collaborated with his brother Hans Holbein the Younger on a pair of wooden signs for a schoolmaster, Oswald Myconius. These signs are considered some of the earliest surviving paintings by Hans Holbein the Younger. In the same year, Ambrosius and his brother moved to Basel, where he worked as a journeyman in Hans Herbster's studio.
In 1517, Ambrosius registered as a member of the Basel painters' guild, and on June 6, 1518, he became a naturalized citizen of Basel. His guarantor was the goldsmith Jörg Schweiger, whom he had previously portrayed. Unfortunately, Ambrosius disappears from the records soon after, and it is assumed that he died around 1519 at a young age, leaving behind a small body of work. The Portrait of a Boy with Blond Hair and its companion, the Portrait of a Boy with Brown Hair, are among his best-known works from this period, now housed in the Basel Kunstmuseum.
Hans Holbein the Younger, born around 1497, followed in his brother's footsteps and became a renowned German-Swiss painter and printmaker working in the Northern Renaissance style. He is considered one of the greatest portraitists of the 16th century, with his portraits known for their remarkable likeness and intricate symbolism. Holbein's versatility extended beyond portraits, as he also produced religious art, satire, Reformation propaganda, and made significant contributions to book design. He was highly regarded during his lifetime, with French poet and reformer Nicholas Bourbon (the elder) bestowing upon him the title of "the Apelles of our time".
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Ambrosius and Hans Holbein collaborated on Signboard for Schoolmaster Oswald Myconius in 1516
Ambrosius Holbein, born in Augsburg (now in Bavaria) around 1494, was a German and later Swiss artist specializing in painting, drawing, and printmaking. He was the elder brother of Hans Holbein the Younger, a renowned artist born around 1497. Ambrosius received his first painting lessons from his father, Hans Holbein the Elder, a pivotal figure in the evolution of German art from the Gothic to the Renaissance style. Despite his short life, ending in his mid-twenties around 1519, Ambrosius left a notable artistic legacy.
Hans Holbein the Younger, also a native of Augsburg, was a distinguished artist whose career spanned the late Gothic and early Renaissance periods. He is particularly known for his portraits, including those of significant figures such as Erasmus of Rotterdam and Thomas More.
In 1516, Ambrosius Holbein and his younger brother, Hans Holbein the Younger, collaborated on a project for Schoolmaster Oswald Myconius. They created a pair of wooden signboards, which served as advertisements for Myconius' school. These signboards are among the earliest surviving paintings by Hans Holbein the Younger and provide insight into the brothers' artistic collaboration.
The signboards feature two pupils, posed in a way that may reflect the artists' own postures while painting. In one scene, a boy with his back turned holds a quill, while the other boy points to written lines, resembling Holbein's writing style. The second signboard depicts a boy dressed in green, being disciplined by the master with twigs, while reading from a script. These paintings not only showcase the Holbeins' artistic talent but also offer a glimpse into the educational practices and discipline of the time.
The collaboration between Ambrosius and Hans Holbein on the Signboard for Schoolmaster Oswald Myconius in 1516 is a testament to their artistic partnership and an important chapter in the history of art. Despite Ambrosius' untimely death, his contributions, including this joint work with his brother, have secured his place among the notable artists of the early Renaissance period.
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Ambrosius was born in Augsburg, a centre of art, culture and trade
A Google search for "when was the painting Ambrosius and Hans Holbein made" reveals that Ambrosius Holbein, the son of renowned artist Hans Holbein the Elder, was likely born in Augsburg, Germany, around 1494. Augsburg was a thriving centre of art, culture, and trade at this time, making it an ideal birthplace for someone destined to become a celebrated artist in his own right.
The Holbein family was already well-known in artistic circles by the time of Ambrosius' birth. Hans Holbein the Elder, Ambrosius' father, was a successful painter and draughtsman, known for his intricate and detailed work. Augsburg was a prosperous and culturally rich environment that likely provided young Ambrosius with ample opportunities to develop his artistic skills and network with other artists.
The city of Augsburg had a long and renowned history as a centre of art and culture. It was home to a thriving art market and was a hub for the exchange of artistic ideas and techniques. Many renowned artists worked and studied in Augsburg, exposing young Ambrosius to a wealth of artistic influences and traditions. The city's prosperous trade networks and vibrant cultural life undoubtedly influenced the young artist's development and outlook.
Located on important trade routes, Augsburg was a wealthy and cosmopolitan city. It boasted a thriving economy, driven by industries such as banking, publishing, and textile production. This economic prosperity attracted artists and artisans from across Europe, creating a dynamic and competitive artistic environment. The city was also a centre for humanism and Renaissance thought, with scholars, writers, and artists converging to exchange ideas and foster a rich cultural life.
The influence of Augsburg's vibrant artistic community can be seen in Ambrosius' later work. Though his career was unfortunately cut short by an early death, likely around 1519, Ambrosius Holbein left behind a body of work that showcases his talent and the influence of his birthplace. His paintings and drawings demonstrate a mastery of technique and a unique style that blends the influences of his father's detailed approach with the emerging Renaissance trends he would have encountered in Augsburg.
In summary, Ambrosius Holbein's birth in Augsburg, a thriving centre of art, culture, and trade, set the foundation for his artistic career. The city's rich artistic heritage, coupled with its prosperous and intellectually stimulating environment, provided the ideal backdrop for the development of Ambrosius' skills and style. Though his time in Augsburg was likely formative, Ambrosius also ventured to other artistic centres, including Basel, ensuring that his work and legacy extended beyond the borders of his birthplace.
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He was a prominent small format artist
Ambrosius Holbein, the elder brother of Hans Holbein the Younger, was a prominent small-format artist. Born in Augsburg, Germany, in 1494, Ambrosius worked in media such as painting, drawing, and printmaking. Unfortunately, he died prematurely in his mid-twenties, leaving behind a modest body of work.
During his short career, Ambrosius collaborated with his younger brother, Hans Holbein the Younger, on some of the latter's earliest paintings. These included a pair of wooden signs advertising for a schoolmaster, Oswald Myconius, in 1516. The paintings depict the artists themselves, with one pupil posing with a quill, while the other points at some written lines.
Ambrosius's talent was recognised during his lifetime. In 1517, he joined the Basel painters' guild, and the following year, he became a citizen of Basel, with the goldsmith Jörg Schweiger, whom he had previously portrayed, acting as his guarantor.
While Ambrosius's oeuvre is limited, his surviving works demonstrate his skill as a small-format artist. One of his notable paintings is the "Portrait of a Young Man" (1518; Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg). This painting is often attributed to his brother, Hans Holbein the Younger, highlighting the close collaboration and similar styles of the two artists.
In addition to his small-format paintings, Ambrosius also worked on a larger scale. In 1515, he is believed to have assisted a painter from Schaffhausen, Thomas Schmid, with the murals in the main hall of the St. George monastery in Stein am Rhein, Switzerland. Unfortunately, Ambrosius's career was cut short, and he likely died in 1519, leaving a legacy as a talented small-format artist and an important contributor to the art of his time.
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Frequently asked questions
The painting "Ambrosius and Hans", by Hans Holbein the Elder, was made in 1511.
Ambrosius Holbein and his younger brother, Hans Holbein the Younger, were German and later Swiss artists. They were born in Augsburg, Bavaria, which was a centre of art, culture, and trade at the time.
Ambrosius Holbein lived from approximately 1494 to around 1519. He was the elder brother of Hans Holbein the Younger.
Ambrosius Holbein's notable works include "Portrait of a Young Man" (1518), which is housed in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, and a painting labelled "Portrait of Girl" held by the Krannert Art Museum in Illinois. He also collaborated with his brother, Hans Holbein the Younger, on two wooden signs for Schoolmaster Oswald Myconius in 1516.











































