Title-page Border with Saints Peter and Paul and the Symbols of the Four Evangelists

Holbein first designed this title-page for Luther’s New Testament, which was issued in Basel in December 1522. The sides of the design are occupied with niches within which stand St. Peter (left) and St. Paul (right). The artist drew inspiration from his work as a painter-decorator of interiors and façades, as well as his work as a designer of pieces of silverware, to conceive the architectural background of this frontispiece. Curled dolphins linked in a tête-bêche manner form medallions into which the attributes of the Four Evangelists are contained. In the upper center, the arms of the city of Basel are surrounded by winged dragons.