Radiographic Imaging Uncovers Impressive Cheekbone Transformation in 16th-century Portrait
New analysis uncovers fascinating details about the 16th-century portrait of Young Derich Born by Hans Holbein the Younger Discover how meticulous revisions transformed his cheekbones, lending him a strikingly chiseled appearance
Editors Note: This article was first published by The Art Newspaper, in collaboration with CNN Style.
Fresh findings from recent research and restoration efforts on Hans Holbein the Younger's 1533 portrait unveil a fascinating discovery: Derich Born's cheekbones were not initially as sharply defined as they appear in the painting. The artist meticulously made incremental adjustments, enhancing Born's already striking features to create a more sculpted appearance.
The inscription on the parapet beneath Born's arm, presumably written by Holbein, is a dazzling testament. It echoes a similar tribute to Albrecht Dürer and boldly declares, "If you heard his voice, Derich himself would be present. You would question whether the painter or his father created him."
Freshly restored at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California, the painting was once owned by Charles I. It was later repurchased by Charles II in his mission to reunite the Royal Collection, which had been scattered during the reign of Oliver Cromwell. Now, it will take center stage in an upcoming exhibition at the Queen's Gallery in Buckingham Palace. Opening on November 10, the exhibition showcases Holbein's work in England and his extraordinary ascent to becoming the favored artist of the Tudor court.
Born as a German merchant in the Steelyard in London, a significant trading hub for the Hanseatic League, the powerful group of traders, this individual was not of royal descent. It is noted in the exhibition catalog that at least seven members of the Hanseatic League, including this individual, commissioned portraits from Holbein, of which two are currently preserved in the Royal Collection. Produced at the young age of 23, the portrait of this individual reflects their evident arrogance. However, it is worth mentioning that they faced consequences for their unwise dispute with the influential Duke of Suffolk, leading to their expulsion from England in 1541. Even a decade later, the individual expressed their discontentment, as shared by the exhibition's curator, Kate Heard.
As for a Cézanne painting, for nearly 160 years, it harbored a hidden secret beneath its surface.
Nicola Christie, the head of painting conservation at the Royal Collection, expressed her concerns regarding the painting's condition when the Getty Museum requested a loan for its own 2021-2022 Holbein exhibition, "Capturing Character in the Renaissance," as reported by The Art Newspaper. In response, the Getty Museum generously offered to bring her to California and provide months of assistance from its laboratories and team of scientists. However, due to the delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the painting was exhibited before undergoing conservation. The upcoming London exhibition will unveil the results of the meticulous conservation efforts, including a gentle cleaning process that has revealed the remarkable subtleties in Holbein's treatment of textures, particularly in black satin and fur.
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The 16th-century portrait of 23-year-old merchant Derich Born.
Royal Collection Trust
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X-ray image reveals modifications made to Born's facial structure.
The portrait was crafted using two planks of Baltic oak, with a noticeable seam running vertically across Borns face. Christie uncovered that the planks had been split in the past and then reattached with a slight misalignment, resulting in a prominent ridge that was subsequently filled and covered with paint.
Christie asserts that separating the boards again was an impossible thought. "I can confirm that it is securely joined together, as they had expertise in the 18th century," she claimed.
However, she managed to eliminate the filler, exposing the original surface. Additionally, she has applied paint to cover some of the damages.
"It was a daunting and fascinating endeavor to work meticulously under the microscope. Amidst this intimidating process, one of the highlights was uncovering authentic paint hidden beneath the layers of age," she described.
Two art curators were confronted with a perplexing question. Could this peculiar painting truly be the work of Dalí?
Through X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry, the analysis has successfully identified the layers and pigments utilized by Holbein in his portrait. Beginning from the grey base, the portrait gradually built up with thin layers of paint on Born's face and extravagant attire, employing expensive dyes to achieve a rich black hue. Finally, an azurite background was added. Intriguingly, the X-rays revealed Holbein's modifications to Born's facial features, shoulder, and hat, adding more sculpted characteristics.
Although no preparatory drawing for the portrait has been preserved, it will be exhibited along with 40 of Holbein's exquisite drawings from the Royal Collection. These drawings include studies of Henry VIII, his children, future monarchs Mary I and Edward VI, as well as various wives such as Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour, as stated in the press release.
Born's disappearance from historical records occurred after he traded a consignment of towels in Antwerp in 1549. However, Heard has conducted research and has not discovered any proof indicating that he passed away at a young age.
"It simply depends on the survival of records. It is plausible that he lived a long and prosperous life, continuously venting his dissatisfaction regarding his expulsion from England," she commented.
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