Hans Holbein, Or Johaun, called the Younger, a German painter, born in Augsburg or Grun-stadt between 1495 and 1498, died of the plague in London in 1554 or in 1543. He was the son of a painter of the same name (Hans the Elder), of considerable eminence during the latter half of the 15th century, and while a boy followed his father to Basel. Here he executed remarkable works for private houses, public buildings, and churches, many of which have been preserved. About 1526 he contracted an intimacy with Erasmus, whose portrait he painted, and soon after visited England, where he passed the remainder of his life. A letter from Erasmus recommended him to Sir Thomas More, who introduced him at court. Henry VIII. at once made him court painter, with a liberal pension, and thenceforth Holbein was intrusted with many commissions, chiefly for portraits, both from the king and the principal personages of the kingdom. He is distinguished as a historical and portrait painter, and engraver on wood. He painted in oils and distemper, and excelled in miniatures.

As an engraver he is chiefly known by the celebrated "Dance of Death," a series of 53 woodcuts engraved from his own designs, although it is seldom found with more than 46. (See Dance of Death.) This series has been frequently engraved, and the prints of Wenzel Hollar are particularly fine. It is said that he used the left hand in painting. - The Holbein collection in the museum of Basel, which had been prepared by his friend Amerbach, comprises the portraits of the latter and of Holbein's wife and children, and other masterpieces. His portraits of Sir Thomas More and other personages are at Windsor, and many are at Kensington and in various English and continental galleries, private and public. Much controversy exists in regard to the genuineness of some of the works ascribed to him, especially in respect to two pictures both claiming to be originals and representing the "Madonna of the Burgomaster Meyer of Basel;" one of these is in Darmstadt, and the other in Dresden; both were critically examined in 1871 by competent authorities, but without a decision on the subject.

Many works have appeared in modern times on Holbein's life and works, the latest of which is Holbein und seine Zeit, by A. Wolt-mann (2 vols., Leipsic, 18G8; revised, with illustrations, 1874).