icate details, definite lines, rich colors, and illusionism that are associated with the Northern Renaissance. The details in this painting are countless. The individual strands of hair at Sir More's hairline, the wrinkles on his knuckles, the easily observable difference between the color of his irises and his pupils, and the "SS" chain around his neck are all details that may be easily overlooked if one was not thinking about it. The "SS" chain signifies service to King Henry VIII, whom he served as Privy Councilor and Lord Chancellor for over a decade . This chain is also a great example of the crisp, clear lines that Holbein employs to give the portrait even more precision than a photo. The powerful green and red, bold and deep instead of pastel, give the portrait a more realistic and three-dimensional look. However, the most impressive aspect of this portrait is probably the impeccable illusionism that Holbein is capable of. The slight stubble creating a shadow on More's face, the plush fur spreading out at folds on his coat, and the soft velvet sleeves all seem so real that it is difficult to believe they are merely paint on a flat surface. Even the dark circles and wrinkles around his eyes are infallible. These aspects of the painting reflect the nature of art of the Northern Renaissance. There are also some elements of the work, however, that reflect Holbein as an individual who stands out from other artists of his time. For example, some of Holbein's portraiture displayed the subject surrounded by items with which the subject spent his life, included to better portray his occupation and way of living. This can be seen in works such as Ambassadors (1533) and Georg Gisze (1532). As Holbein matured, so did his artwork and genius. Holbein began painting his subjects with less and less objects surrounding them to cause any distraction. Yet, Holbein was still able to display the character and personality of his subject to an amazing ...
