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The Arrogance of Rehoboam - Hans Holbein the Younger

Rehoboam's Insolence. Pen and brown ink and brush, grey wash and watercolour, 22.5 × 38.3 cm, Kunstmuseum Basel. Holbein began working on the murals for the Council Chamber of Basel Town Hall during the 1520s, painting classical subjects. After his return from a two-year visit to England (1526–28), he was commissioned to resume the task, but this time to provide murals based on Old Testament subjects, in keeping with the new Reformation doctrines of the authorities. The murals were one of several large-scale projects undertaken by Holbein that are now known only from a few fragments and preparatory sketches. This design portrays Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, whose arrogant government led to his people's rebellion and the loss of part of his kingdom. He holds out his little finger, saying, "My little finger is thicker than my father's waist!" The murals reminded the councillors of the need for wise and godly government. Among the surviving fragments of the murals is one showing Rehoboam, but in profile. References Christian Müller; Stephan Kemperdick; Maryan Ainsworth; et al, Hans Holbein the Younger: The Basel Years, 1515–1532, Munich: Prestel, 2006, ISBN 9783791335803, p. 412 Derek Wilson, Hans Holbein: Portrait of an Unknown Man, London: Pimlico, 2006, ISBN 9781844139187, p. 162.

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