The Research On Holbein’s Illustrations To "the Praise Of Folly"

In the early16thcentury, the German painter Hans Holbein the Younger ofthe Renaissance in northern Europe creates a series of illustrations with pen andink drawings which possess value of art, history and humanity to the humanistErasmus· the Praise of Follyμ. Holbein who is famous for his portrait paintingoccupies a prominent position in the history of world book illustration by virtueof the illustrations. The dissertation focuses on Holbein·s illustrations to thePraise of Folly. Combining with the background of the age and the text,systematically elucidating the illustrations with various purposes and discussingthe sources of fool images to interpret Holbein·s intention, the dissertationreveals artistic aptitude of the artist who is influenced by humanism. Holbein·sillustrations to the Praise of Folly show not only his superb skill of drawing butalso his deep understanding of this piece of literature. The illustrations reflectHolbein·s unerring instinct in topic, the nature and ease of the quick line, hisunique sense of humor and the depth of human expression. Holbein uses hisindividual artistic language to convey the spirit of humanism in the Renaissancethrough the medium of book illustration.