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Extract from Dr. Waagens book "Treasures of Art" - Vol IV - page 356 - Hans Holbein. Portrait of Erasmus, mentioned also VOL III, page 139 - + alone worth a pilgrimage to Lougford Castle. Seldom has a painter so fully succeeded in bringing to view the whole character of so original a mind as in this instance. In the mouth + small eyes may be seen the unspeakable studies of a long life to which the painter has drawn attention by the inscription upon the gilt edges of a book bound in red + elegantly decorated, on which Erasmus is leaning + which was thus HPAKAEOI TTONOI Erasmus Rodero i.e. the Herculaean labours of Erasmus of Rotterdam. The face also expresses the sagacity + knowledge of life gained by long experience Beneath the black calf are seen scantly white locks. According to the custom of the time he is richly attired, his dress consisting of a coat bordered with brown fur + a dress lined with black fur with a large violet cape with a broad projecting border of black fur. The accessories also are rich. The head is wheved by a green curtain fastened to an iron rod. On his right is a pilaster in a very elegant Rennaissance taste. Although the masterly + careful selection extends to every portion - the brown fur for example is wonderfully painted +/tho admirably foreshortened hands of the most individual character - yet the face which is rendered in bright golden tones, surpasses everything else in delicacy of modelling. All combines to show that the painter here tried to do his best, while a Latin inscription proves that he himself was satisfied with the result. This inscription is placed next the date MDXXIII + though not wholly legible we can trace the following Ille Ego Joannes Holbein from favie ....... Missus Erit, Gram Mihi. The preservation leaves nothing to be desired.