Thomas Wolsey
(1470 or 1471-1530), Cardinal and statesmanSitter associated with 37 portraits
'Of vast ability and indefatigable', Wolsey was a butcher's son from Ipswich who rose to become Henry VIII's most powerful minister in the early part of his reign. He was a talented statesmen who was created a Cardinal by Pope Leo X in 1515 and was made Lord Chancellor by Henry the same year, succeeding William Warham in the post. He founded Cardinal College, Oxford (later refounded as Christ Church) and built the palace of Hampton Court. Wolsey promoted the King's ambitious foreign policy, but fell from favour when he failed to obtain Henry's divorce from Katherine of Aragon. He died before he could be tried for treason.
after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, probably 18th century
NPG D24252
by John Faber Sr
mezzotint, circa 1712-1714
NPG D4888
by Paul Fourdrinier (Pierre)
line engraving, published 1726
NPG D33089
by Paul Fourdrinier (Pierre)
line engraving, published 1726
NPG D19059
by Robert Sheppard
coloured line engraving, published 1733
NPG D8792
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton
line engraving, published 1738
NPG D24254
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton
engraving, published 1738
NPG D37008
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton
line engraving, published 1738
NPG D42881
by Thomas Ryder
line engraving, possibly late 18th century
NPG D24257
after William Hogarth
line engraving, probably early 19th century
NPG D24176
after Hans Holbein the Younger
hand-coloured stipple and aquatint engraving, probably early 19th century
NPG D24246
by Unknown artist
watercolour, 19th century
NPG D136
by Robert Cooper, published by Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones, published by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown, after William Hilton, after Hans Holbein the Younger
stipple engraving, published 2 February 1818
NPG D37006
by Robert Cooper, published by Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones, published by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown, after William Hilton, after Hans Holbein the Younger
stipple engraving, published 2 February 1818
NPG D37007
by Charles Picart, after Adriaen van der Werff
stipple engraving, published 1823
NPG D24249
by Leighton Brothers, published by Illustrated London News, after Sir John Gilbert
colour wood engraving, published 27 July 1872
NPG D37009
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