Portrait of Henry VIII
Encyclopedia
Portrait of Henry VIII is a lost work
by Hans Holbein the Younger
depicting Henry VIII
. While destroyed by fire in 1698 it is still well known today through many copies. It is one of the most iconic images of Henry and is one of the most famed portraits of any British monarch. It was originally created as a mural at the Palace of Whitehall
, London, in 1536 or 1537; the original was destroyed when the palace burned in 1698. Some of Holbein's preparatory works survive, as do a number of period copies of the mural.
of Henry's newly acquired Palace of Whitehall
. Henry was spending vast sums to decorate the 23 acres (93,077.8 m²) warren of residences he had seized after the downfall of Cardinal Wolsey. The original mural featured four figures arranged around a marble plinth: Henry, his wife Jane Seymour
, and his parents, Henry VII
and Elizabeth of York
. The mural was thus commissioned sometime during the brief marriage of Henry and Jane Seymour, likely in 1536 or 1537.
It is a unique image of a European monarch. Henry is posed without any of the standard royal accoutrements such as swords, crowns, or scepters. Rather the majestic presence is conveyed through Henry's aggressive posture. Henry stands proudly erect, directly facing the viewer. His legs are spread apart and arms held from his side in the pose of a warrior or a wrestler. In one hand he holds a glove, while the other reaches towards an ornate dagger hanging at his waist. Henry's clothes and surroundings are ornate, with the original painting using gold leaf to highlight the opulence. The detailed blackwork embroidery is especially notable. He wears an array of jewellery including several large rings and a pair of necklaces. His large codpiece
and heavily padded shoulders further enhance the aggressive masculinity of the image.
The painting has frequently been described as a work of propaganda
designed to enhance Henry's majesty. It deliberately skews Henry's figure to make him more imposing. Comparisons of surviving sets of Henry's armour show that his legs were much shorter in reality than in the painting. The painting also shows Henry as young and full of health, when in truth he was in his forties and had been badly injured earlier in the year in a tiltyard
accident. He was also already suffering from the health problems that would affect the latter part of his life.
Henry recognized the power of the image Holbein created, and encouraged other artists to copy the painting and distributed the various versions around the realm, giving them as gifts to friends and ambassadors. Major nobles would commission their own copies of the painting to show their loyalty to Henry. The many copies made of the portrait explain why it has become such an iconic image, even after the destruction of the original when Whitehall was consumed by fire in 1698. It has had a lasting effect on Henry's public image. For instance Charles Laughton
's Oscar winning performance in The Private Life of Henry VIII
was modeled after the swaggering Henry depicted by Holbein. The prologue of Shakespeare's Henry VIII
refers to the public's imagined Henry as "a fellow / In a long motley coat guarded with yellow," which is a likely reference to the Holbein portrait.
and housed at Althorp
. Financial problems forced the 7th Earl Spencer
to sell much of the art collection, and it was purchased by Heinrich Thyssen
.
All the remaining copies of the painting are today attributed to other artists, though in most cases the name of the copier is unknown. They vary dramatically in their quality and fealty to the original source. Most of the reproductions only copy the image of Henry, though a single copy done by Remigius van Leemput in 1667 of the entire mural survives today at Hampton Court. The highest quality, and best known copy, is that currently in the collection of the Walker Art Gallery
(illustration), which may have been commissioned by Edward Seymour
, Jane's brother.
Lost work
A lost work is a document or literary work produced some time in the past of which no surviving copies are known to exist. Works may be lost to history either through the destruction of the original manuscript, or through the non-survival of any copies of the work. Deliberate destruction of works...
by Hans Holbein the Younger
Hans Holbein the Younger
Hans Holbein the Younger was a German artist and printmaker who worked in a Northern Renaissance style. He is best known as one of the greatest portraitists of the 16th century. He also produced religious art, satire and Reformation propaganda, and made a significant contribution to the history...
depicting Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
. While destroyed by fire in 1698 it is still well known today through many copies. It is one of the most iconic images of Henry and is one of the most famed portraits of any British monarch. It was originally created as a mural at the Palace of Whitehall
Palace of Whitehall
The Palace of Whitehall was the main residence of the English monarchs in London from 1530 until 1698 when all except Inigo Jones's 1622 Banqueting House was destroyed by fire...
, London, in 1536 or 1537; the original was destroyed when the palace burned in 1698. Some of Holbein's preparatory works survive, as do a number of period copies of the mural.
Painting
Holbein, originally from Germany, had been appointed the English King's Painter in 1536. The portrait was created to adorn the privy chamberPrivy chamber
A Privy chamber was the private apartment of a royal residence in England. The gentlemen of the Privy chamber were servants to the Crown who would wait and attend on the King and Queen at court during their various activities, functions and entertainments....
of Henry's newly acquired Palace of Whitehall
Palace of Whitehall
The Palace of Whitehall was the main residence of the English monarchs in London from 1530 until 1698 when all except Inigo Jones's 1622 Banqueting House was destroyed by fire...
. Henry was spending vast sums to decorate the 23 acres (93,077.8 m²) warren of residences he had seized after the downfall of Cardinal Wolsey. The original mural featured four figures arranged around a marble plinth: Henry, his wife Jane Seymour
Jane Seymour
Jane Seymour was Queen of England as the third wife of King Henry VIII. She succeeded Anne Boleyn as queen consort following the latter's execution for trumped up charges of high treason, incest and adultery in May 1536. She died of postnatal complications less than two weeks after the birth of...
, and his parents, Henry VII
Henry VII of England
Henry VII was King of England and Lord of Ireland from his seizing the crown on 22 August 1485 until his death on 21 April 1509, as the first monarch of the House of Tudor....
and Elizabeth of York
Elizabeth of York
Elizabeth of York was Queen consort of England as spouse of King Henry VII from 1486 until 1503, and mother of King Henry VIII of England....
. The mural was thus commissioned sometime during the brief marriage of Henry and Jane Seymour, likely in 1536 or 1537.
It is a unique image of a European monarch. Henry is posed without any of the standard royal accoutrements such as swords, crowns, or scepters. Rather the majestic presence is conveyed through Henry's aggressive posture. Henry stands proudly erect, directly facing the viewer. His legs are spread apart and arms held from his side in the pose of a warrior or a wrestler. In one hand he holds a glove, while the other reaches towards an ornate dagger hanging at his waist. Henry's clothes and surroundings are ornate, with the original painting using gold leaf to highlight the opulence. The detailed blackwork embroidery is especially notable. He wears an array of jewellery including several large rings and a pair of necklaces. His large codpiece
Codpiece
A codpiece is a covering flap or pouch that attaches to the front of the crotch of men's trousers and usually accentuates the genital area. It was held closed by string ties, buttons, or other methods...
and heavily padded shoulders further enhance the aggressive masculinity of the image.
The painting has frequently been described as a work of propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
designed to enhance Henry's majesty. It deliberately skews Henry's figure to make him more imposing. Comparisons of surviving sets of Henry's armour show that his legs were much shorter in reality than in the painting. The painting also shows Henry as young and full of health, when in truth he was in his forties and had been badly injured earlier in the year in a tiltyard
Tiltyard
A tiltyard was an enclosed courtyard for jousting . Tiltyards were a common feature of late medieval castles and palaces...
accident. He was also already suffering from the health problems that would affect the latter part of his life.
Henry recognized the power of the image Holbein created, and encouraged other artists to copy the painting and distributed the various versions around the realm, giving them as gifts to friends and ambassadors. Major nobles would commission their own copies of the painting to show their loyalty to Henry. The many copies made of the portrait explain why it has become such an iconic image, even after the destruction of the original when Whitehall was consumed by fire in 1698. It has had a lasting effect on Henry's public image. For instance Charles Laughton
Charles Laughton
Charles Laughton was an English-American stage and film actor, screenwriter, producer and director.-Early life and career:...
's Oscar winning performance in The Private Life of Henry VIII
The Private Life of Henry VIII
The Private Life of Henry VIII is a 1933 film about Henry VIII, King of England. It was written by Lajos Biró and Arthur Wimperis, and directed by Sir Alexander Korda.Charles Laughton won the 1933 Academy Award as Best Actor for his performance as Henry...
was modeled after the swaggering Henry depicted by Holbein. The prologue of Shakespeare's Henry VIII
Henry VIII (play)
The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight is a history play by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher, based on the life of Henry VIII of England. An alternative title, All is True, is recorded in contemporary documents, the title Henry VIII not appearing until the play's publication...
refers to the public's imagined Henry as "a fellow / In a long motley coat guarded with yellow," which is a likely reference to the Holbein portrait.
Surviving images
A cartoon done by Holbein in preparation for the portrait work survives in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery. The cartoon differs slightly from the final version. Most notably it shows Henry standing in a more traditional three-quarters view rather than the final and iconic head-on position. Also surviving is smaller half-length portrait of Henry by Holbein that is today in the collection of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid. This only surviving painting of Henry by Holbein was also likely a preparatory work. In it Henry wears much the same clothing as the final mural, but is still posed in a three-quarters view. For many years this painting was owned by the Spencer familySpencer family
The Spencer family are a British noble family descended in the male line from Henry Spencer, claimed to be a descendant of the cadet branch of the ancient House Le Despencer , male-line ancestor of the Earls of Sunderland, the later Dukes of Marlborough, and the Earls Spencer...
and housed at Althorp
Althorp
Althorp is a country estate of about and a stately home in Northamptonshire, England. It is about north-west of the county town of Northampton. The late Diana, Princess of Wales is buried in the estate.-History:...
. Financial problems forced the 7th Earl Spencer
Albert Spencer, 7th Earl Spencer
Albert Edward John Spencer, 7th Earl Spencer , styled The Honourable Albert Spencer until 1910 and as Viscount Althorp from 1910 to 1922, and known less formally as "Jack" Spencer, was a British peer...
to sell much of the art collection, and it was purchased by Heinrich Thyssen
Heinrich, Baron Thyssen-Bornemisza de Kászon
Heinrich Thyssen , since June 22, 1907 Heinrich Freiherr Thyssen-Bornemisza de Kászon et Impérfalva, was a German-Hungarian entrepreneur and art collector.-Biography:...
.
All the remaining copies of the painting are today attributed to other artists, though in most cases the name of the copier is unknown. They vary dramatically in their quality and fealty to the original source. Most of the reproductions only copy the image of Henry, though a single copy done by Remigius van Leemput in 1667 of the entire mural survives today at Hampton Court. The highest quality, and best known copy, is that currently in the collection of the Walker Art Gallery
Walker Art Gallery
The Walker Art Gallery is an art gallery in Liverpool, which houses one of the largest art collections in England, outside of London. It is part of the National Museums Liverpool group, and is promoted as "the National Gallery of the North" because it is not a local or regional gallery but is part...
(illustration), which may have been commissioned by Edward Seymour
Edward Seymour
Edward Seymour may refer to:*Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, Lord Protector of England , during the minority of his nephew, Edward VI of England*Edward Seymour, 1st Earl of Hertford, son of the above...
, Jane's brother.
| Location | Date | Notes | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art Gallery of Ontario Art Gallery of Ontario Under the direction of its CEO Matthew Teitelbaum, the AGO embarked on a $254 million redevelopment plan by architect Frank Gehry in 2004, called Transformation AGO. The new addition would require demolition of the 1992 Post-Modernist wing by Barton Myers and Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg... |
2nd half 16th century | Circle of Hans Holbein the Younger | |
| Belvoir Castle Belvoir Castle Belvoir Castle is a stately home in the English county of Leicestershire, overlooking the Vale of Belvoir . It is a Grade I listed building.... |
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| Castle Howard Castle Howard Castle Howard is a stately home in North Yorkshire, England, north of York. One of the grandest private residences in Britain, most of it was built between 1699 and 1712 for the 3rd Earl of Carlisle, to a design by Sir John Vanbrugh... |
1542 |  |
|
| Chatsworth House Chatsworth House Chatsworth House is a stately home in North Derbyshire, England, northeast of Bakewell and west of Chesterfield . It is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, and has been home to his family, the Cavendish family, since Bess of Hardwick settled at Chatsworth in 1549.Standing on the east bank of the... |
c. 1560–73 | by Hans Eworth Hans Eworth Hans Eworth was a Flemish painter active in England in the mid-16th century. Along with other exiled Flemings, he made a career in Tudor London, painting allegorical images as well as portraits of the gentry and nobility. About 40 paintings are now attributed to Eworth, among them portraits of... , likely commissioned by William Cavendish |
|
| Hampton Court Palace Hampton Court Palace Hampton Court Palace is a royal palace in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Greater London; it has not been inhabited by the British royal family since the 18th century. The palace is located south west of Charing Cross and upstream of Central London on the River Thames... |
1667 | Remigius van Leemput, only surviving depiction of the full mural |  |
| Holyroodhouse | |||
| National Maritime Museum National Maritime Museum The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England is the leading maritime museum of the United Kingdom and may be the largest museum of its kind in the world. The historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site, it also incorporates the Royal Observatory, Greenwich,... |
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| National Museum of Rome National Museum of Rome The National Museum of Rome is a set of museums in Rome, Italy, split among various branches across the city... |
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| National Portrait Gallery | Preparatory cartoon done by Holbein |  |
|
| National Portrait Gallery | |||
| National Portrait Gallery | |||
| National Portrait Gallery | |||
| National Portrait Gallery | |||
| New College, Oxford New College, Oxford New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always... |
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| Parham House | |||
| Petworth House Petworth House Petworth House in Petworth, West Sussex, England, is a late 17th-century mansion, rebuilt in 1688 by Charles Seymour, 6th Duke of Somerset, and altered in the 1870s by Anthony Salvin... |
Dendrochronology puts the frame at some time after 1525 | Created by Holbein's studio | |
| Royal College of Physicians Royal College of Physicians The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter... |
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| St Bartholomew's Hospital St Bartholomew's Hospital St Bartholomew's Hospital, also known as Barts, is a hospital in Smithfield in the City of London, England.-Early history:It was founded in 1123 by Raherus or Rahere , a favourite courtier of King Henry I... |
Donated in 1737 | ||
| Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum | c. 1534-1536 | Preparatory portrait done by Holbein |  |
| Trinity College, Cambridge Trinity College, Cambridge Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows... |
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| Walker Art Gallery Walker Art Gallery The Walker Art Gallery is an art gallery in Liverpool, which houses one of the largest art collections in England, outside of London. It is part of the National Museums Liverpool group, and is promoted as "the National Gallery of the North" because it is not a local or regional gallery but is part... |
Dendrochronology puts the frame at some time after 1530 |  |
|
| Windsor Castle Windsor Castle Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it... , Royal Collection Royal Collection The Royal Collection is the art collection of the British Royal Family. It is property of the monarch as sovereign, but is held in trust for her successors and the nation. It contains over 7,000 paintings, 40,000 watercolours and drawings, and about 150,000 old master prints, as well as historical... |
1535-44 | ||
| Windsor Castle Windsor Castle Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it... , Royal Collection Royal Collection The Royal Collection is the art collection of the British Royal Family. It is property of the monarch as sovereign, but is held in trust for her successors and the nation. It contains over 7,000 paintings, 40,000 watercolours and drawings, and about 150,000 old master prints, as well as historical... |
c. 1538-47? | ||
| Windsor Castle Windsor Castle Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it... , Royal Collection Royal Collection The Royal Collection is the art collection of the British Royal Family. It is property of the monarch as sovereign, but is held in trust for her successors and the nation. It contains over 7,000 paintings, 40,000 watercolours and drawings, and about 150,000 old master prints, as well as historical... |
1550-1650 | ||
| Windsor Castle Windsor Castle Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it... , Royal Collection Royal Collection The Royal Collection is the art collection of the British Royal Family. It is property of the monarch as sovereign, but is held in trust for her successors and the nation. It contains over 7,000 paintings, 40,000 watercolours and drawings, and about 150,000 old master prints, as well as historical... |
1550-99 |
See also
- List of paintings by Hans Holbein the Younger
- Cultural depictions of Henry VIII of EnglandCultural depictions of Henry VIII of EnglandHenry VIII of England and his reign has been depicted in art, film, literature, music, opera, plays, and televisionPLEASE NOTE: Those with Wikipedia articles are cited only-Art:*Henry VIII by Hans Eworth...