Simon George of Quocote 1536

Hans Holbein the Younger made this black chalk drawing of Simon George of Quocote in the 16th century. Holbein was a German artist who spent much of his career in England, working for wealthy patrons and the royal court. This drawing is a preparatory study for a painted portrait, a genre which was increasingly popular among the rising merchant classes. The precision and detail in the drawing reflect the values of a society that was becoming more interested in individualism and personal identity. The image makes use of visual codes of wealth and status, particularly in Simon George’s fashionable hat. The very act of commissioning a portrait was a way for individuals to assert their position in society and to leave a lasting legacy for future generations. Historians use a range of documents and archives to understand the social and cultural context of artworks like this. By studying the lives of both the artist and the sitter, we can gain a deeper understanding of the values and beliefs of the time. Art is not created in a vacuum, but is always shaped by the social and institutional forces that surround it.