In the context of this artwork, discuss the Reception of the Description.
The fact that Holbein's wife is depicted wearing a dark blue cloth with a rosa scarf, similar to that of the Virgin Mary in Holbein's Solothurn Madonna, prompted art historian Andreas Beyer to hypothesize that the painting might be a depiction of Holbein's own "Holy Family". The family is shown in modest clothing, which is in stark contrast to the riches Holbein brought back to Basel from England. In an infrared reflectography it was detected that the head of Philip was set in a lower position in the painting, and it is speculated that the portrait was originally planned as a larger composition which might have also included the artist himself painting his family. This theory is supported by a description of the portrait by an early owner, the painter Hans Asper, possibly at a time before the portrait was cut into its current version.
Solothurn Madonna Basel infrared reflectography Hans Asper Virgin Mary Holy Family