Erasmus of Rotterdam

1522

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

Erasmus of Rotterdam is a 1522 by Hans Holbein the Younger, a Renaissance work, depicting Beheaded Head, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Hans Holbein the Younger
When & what style?: 1522 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

The painting shows a man sitting at a desk, looking at a book. He is dressed in simple clothes and has a kind face. This portrait is interesting because it shows the subject in a quiet moment. The man in the painting is Erasmus of Rotterdam, a important figure. He was a writer and a thinker, and the artist wanted to show his calm nature. To learn more about this style of painting, look up the technique of sfumato.