Chapter I: Holbein's Period, Parentage, and Early Work

Historical epoch and antecedents--Special conditions and character
of early Christian art--Ideals and influence of the monk--Holbein's
relation to mediæval schools--His father, uncle, and Augsburg
home--Probable dates for his birth and his father's death--Troubles
and dispersion of the Augsburg household--From Augsburg to Basel--His
brother Ambrose--Erasmus and the _Praise of Folly_; some erroneous
impressions of both--Erasmus and Holbein no Protestants at
heart--Holbein and the Bible--Illustrated Vernacular Bibles in
circulation before Luther and Holbein were born--Holbein's earliest
Basel oil-paintings--Direct and indirect education--Historical,
geographical, and scientific revolutions of his day--Beginning of
his connection with the Burgomaster of Basel--Jacob Meyer zum
Hasen--Holbein's woodcuts--His studies from nature--Sudden visit
to Lucerne--Italian influence on his art--Work for the Burgomaster
of Lucerne 1