This picture of a leading merchant of the Steelyard was painted in 1532, and constituted the artist's successful attempt to capture the patronage of one of the wealthiest merchant communities in the world. That the patronage was forthcoming quickly is suggested by the picture of another merchant of the Steelyard dated the same year, and now in the Windsor collection. Hans Holbein the younger is perhaps the most outstanding figure in the history of German art. In the eyes of some he may yield place to his great contemporary Albert Dürer, but it is impossible to deny that for all his indisputable genius Dürer stood for a time that was passing, and Holbein for one that was to come. The younger…
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