Illustration: PLATE 4 JACOB MEYER (ZUM HASEN) _Oils. Basel Museum_
Illustration: PLATE 5 DOROTHEA MEYER (_née_ KANNEGIESSER) _Oils. Basel Museum_
As has been said, the sister of that Hans Bär for whom Holbein painted the "St. Nobody" table had been the first wife, Magdalena Bär--a widow with one daughter, when she married him--of Jacob Meyer,[2] "of the Hare" (_zum Hasen_). Magdalena died in 1511, and about 1512 Meyer zum Hasen married Dorothea Kannegiesser. And now in 1516, a memorable year to Holbein on account of this influential patron, the young stranger was commissioned to paint the portraits of Meyer (Plate 4) and his second wife, Dorothea (Plate 5). These oil paintings, and the drawings for them, are now in the Basel Museum. And no one can examine them, remembering that the painter was but nineteen, without echoing the exclamation of a brilliant French writer: "Holbein ira beaucoup plus loin dans son art, mais déjà il est superbe." These warm translucent browns are instinct with life and beauty.
Against the rich Renaissance architecture and the blue of the sky-vista the massive head of Meyer and the blonde one of his young wife,--the latter so expressive of half-proud, half-shy consciousness,--stand out in wonderful vigour. From the scarlet cap on his thickly curling brown hair to the piece of money between his thumb and finger, the Burgomaster's picture is a virile and masterly portrait. And just as forcefully is the charm of his pretty wife,--with all her bravery of scarlet frock, gold embroidery, head-dress and chains,--her own individual charm. They are both as much themselves in this fine architectural setting as in their own good house "of the Hare" which adjoined the rising glories of the new Renaissance "Council Hall" (_Rathaus_) in which Meyer was to preside so often.
In 1516 he had just been elected Mayor for the first time; but after this he had many consecutive re-elections in the alternate years which permitted this. For no burgomaster could hold office for two years in actual succession. Previous to being Mayor he had been an eminent personage as master of the guilds. And both before and after his mayoralty he was a distinguished soldier,--rising from ensign to captain in the Basel contingent which served at different times among the Auxiliaries of France and of the Pope.