Skip to main content

Primary sourcePaintingc. 1523

Studies of the Hands of Erasmus

Hans Holbein the Younger · c. 1523

Hand studies by Hans Holbein the Younger, drawn from life around 1523 in preparation for his portraits of Erasmus.

These preparatory studies of Erasmus's hands reveal how his image as a writing scholar was carefully constructed by Holbein.

Ask Desiderius Erasmus about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Drawing on pale paper with three studies of hands in red chalk and black crayon. Upper left: an open left hand seen from the side. Center right: a hand holding a pen or stylus, writing. Lower right: a larger hand resting with fingers curled, shown in red chalk.
Hans Holbein the Younger, Studies of the Hands of Erasmus, c. 1523. Musée du Louvre, Paris.

About this source

What it is

This is a drawing by Hans Holbein the Younger, made around 1523, showing studies of Erasmus's hands in silverpoint, black crayon, and red chalk. It is held at the Musée du Louvre in Paris.

Why it matters

Holbein drew these studies from life in Basel as preparation for his painted portraits of Erasmus. They show the careful, deliberate process behind creating the famous image of Erasmus as a scholar at his desk, reminding us that even portraits that seem natural are carefully constructed works of art.

Look closer

  • Why might an artist practice drawing a subject's hands separately before painting a full portrait?
  • What do these studies suggest about how Holbein wanted to show Erasmus — as what kind of person?
  • What does this drawing leave out, compared to a finished portrait?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Desiderius Erasmus on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Desiderius Erasmus sources

Meet the AI Desiderius Erasmus →
Page from a 16th-century printed Latin book with a pen-and-ink marginal drawing at upper left of a figure in a hooded garment holding up a small figure of a man, with handwritten Latin notes and a printed column of Latin and Greek text beside it. The handwritten annotation reads 'Vere nobiles qui' at the top.Book

Primary source

In Praise of Folly

Erasmus · 1511 (written 1509)

Title page of the 1516 Basel edition of Erasmus's Novum Instrumentum omne, in black letter and roman type, with large capitals NOVVM IN at top, a printer's woodcut device in the center, and a printed privilege notice at the bottom. Text is in Latin.Book

Primary source

Novum Instrumentum omne

Erasmus · 1516

Title page of a 1524 book printed in Basel. Text reads 'De libero arbitrio diatribe sive collatio, Desiderii Erasmi Roterod', with 'Primum legito deinde iudicato' below, a printer's ornament, and 'Basileae apud Ioannem Frobenium, Anno M.D.XXIIII. Mense Septembri.' at the bottom.Book

Primary source

De libero arbitrio diatribe sive collatio

Erasmus · 1524

Scan of the title page of a 1525 book, with an ornate woodcut border of architectural arches and foliage. Central text reads 'DE SERVO ARBITRIO MARTINI Lutheri ad D. Erasmum Roterodamum' and 'Vvittembergae 1525', with a winged cherub holding a shield marked with a monogram at the bottom. A circular library stamp reads 'Ex Bibl. Paulina Monast.' and handwritten notes appear at top and right.Book

Primary source

On the Bondage of the Will

Martin Luther · 1525

Oil painting of an older man with grey hair wearing a black cap and dark fur-trimmed robe, resting his hands on a red book with gold lettering and green ribbon markers. A green curtain and carved pilaster stand behind him, with books and a glass bottle on a shelf at right.Painting

Primary source

Erasmus

Hans Holbein the Younger · 1523

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Desiderius Erasmus now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions