Hans Holbein's 'A Lady with a Squirrel and a Starling'

Susan Foister, Martin Wyld and Ashok Roy
Technical Bulletin Volume 15, 1994

Abstract

A panel painting of 1526–28, of an unknown sitter, A Lady with a Squirrel and a Starling, was examined. The priming is chalk in glue with a thin layer of drying oil, and the paint medium is linseed oil. Azurite, copper resinate, lead white, lamp black, red earth, Cologne earth, and vermilion were used. The sitter's arms have been altered in position before the squirrel was introduced, and the hairline was altered, as shown by X-radiography. No drawings have been found for the portrait, but their use is indicated by the assurance of the painting, and by Holbein's known practices. The dating of the work is discussed in relation to other Holbein portraits.

Keywords 

artists' materials, Hans Holbein the Younger, panel paintings, portraits

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To cite this article we suggest using

Foister, S., Wyld, M., Roy, A. 'Hans Holbein's "A Lady with a Squirrel and a Starling"'. National Gallery Technical Bulletin Vol 15, pp 6–19.
http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/technical-bulletin/foister_wyld_roy1994

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