Objekt 2120
The newcomer
Description
Since their establishment in the 13th century, the guilds had increasingly
gained in influence. At the beginning of the 16th century they took over,
once and for all, political power from the bishop and the nobility. In 1516, a
non-aristocrat and the first commoner ever, Jakob Meyer zum Hasen, succeeded
in becoming mayor. He was a money changer, trader, adventurer
and military leader. Straight after his election he had his and his wife’s
portrait painted by Hans Holbein. Only five years later a corruption scandal
caught Jakob Meyer out and his political career was over.
Object description
Double portrait of Jakob Meyer zum Hasen (1482–1531) and his wife Dorothea Kannengiesser (1489–1549)
copy by unknown artist after Hans Holbein the Younger (1497/1498–1543)
Basel, 17th century
oil on lime wood
on loan from Kunstmuseum Basel
Inv. 2007.335.