Edith Wharton's Holbein is a novel about the life of the great German Renaissance painter, Hans Holbein. The novel follows Holbein's life from his early days as a student in Basel, Switzerland, to his time in England as the court painter to King Henry VIII. Along the way, Holbein encounters a variety of characters, including the powerful and influential Cardinal Wolsey, the ambitious and scheming Thomas Cromwell, and the beautiful and mysterious Anne Boleyn. The novel is a vivid and detailed portrait of the life and times of Holbein, and of the people he encountered during his career. It is also a story of ambition, love, and betrayal, as Holbein struggles to make his mark in the world of art and politics. Through it all, Holbein remains true to his art, and his loyalty to his patrons. In the end, Holbein's work is remembered as one of the greatest achievements of the Renaissance.
By Edith Wharton · First published 1924 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Drama · 6 chapters