that the painting is a portrait of Charles de Solier,
seigneur de Morette; an eminent soldier and diplomatist of France; born
in 1480, Ambassador to England more than once, and finally, in 1534.

Besides all the portraits of Holbein's English period, many of them
scattered throughout the collections of all Europe, and many others now
lost, it must not be forgotten that he was at the same time pouring
forth miniature paintings, designs for engraving, designs for the
goldsmith, and conceptions of every sort--from a carved chimney-piece to
a woman's jewelled trinket; and all designed with the same exquisite
precision and felicity. In the British Museum as on the Continent these
drawings are an education in themselves. And besides the portrait
studies in the Windsor Collection there is a sketch for a large painting
which, if ever executed, is lost: "The Queen of Sheba visiting King
Solomon."

CHAPTER IV

PAINTER ROYAL

1536-1543

Queen Jane Seymour--Death of Erasmus, and title-page portrait--The
Whitehall painting of Henry VIII.--Munich drawing of Henry VIII.--Birth
of an heir and the "Jane Seymour Cup"--Death of the Queen--Christina,
Duchess of Milan--Secret service for the King--Flying visit to Basel
and arrangements for a permanent return--Apprentices his son Philip at
Paris--Portrait of the Prince of Wales and the King's return gift--Anne
of Cleves--Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk--Catherine Howard--Lapse
of Holbein's Basel citizenship--Irregularities--Provision for wife
and children--Residence in London--Execution of Queen Catherine
Howard--Marriage of Catherine Parr--Dr. Chamber--Unfinished work for
the Barber-Surgeons' Hall--Death of Holbein--His will--Place of
burial--Holbein's genius; its true character and greatness.

These were years of pleasant friendships, too, as well as work and
cares. Nicholas Bourbon, scholar and poet, after his sojourn in London,
writes back in 1536: "Greet in my name as heartily as you can all with
whom you know me to be connected by intercourse and friendship." And
after mentioning high dignitaries who had followed the King's example of
showing special courtesies to Bourbon, he adds: "Mr. Cornelius Heyss, my
host, the King's Goldsmith; Mr. Nicolaus Kratzer, the King's Astronomer,
a man who is brimful of wit, jest, and humorous fancies; and Mr. Hans,
the Royal Painter, the Apelles of our time. I wish them from my heart
all joy and happiness." This li