King Edward VI

King Edward VI

by William Scrots
oil on panel, anamorphosis, 1546
16 3/4 in. x 63 in. (425 mm x 1600 mm)
Purchased, 1901
Primary Collection
NPG 1299

Sitter

King Edward VI (1537-1553), Reigned 1547-53. Sitter associated with 45 portraits.

Artist

William Scrots (active 1537-1553). Artist associated with 7 portraits.

This portrait

This portrait of Edward was painted when he was nine, a year before he became king. He is shown in distorted perspective (anamorphosis), a technique designed to display the virtuosity of the painter and amaze the spectator. This painting was originally in the Royal Collection at Whitehall, until sold in 1649 for £2. When viewed from the right it is seen in correct perspective.

Linked publications

Audio Guide
Tudor Portraits Resource Pack, p. 20
Cooper, Tarnya, Searching for Shakespeare (hardback), 2006 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 2 March - 29 May 2006), p. 41
Cooper, Tarnya, Searching for Shakespeare, 2006 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 2 March - 29 May 2006), p. 41
Gittings, Clare, The National Portrait Gallery Book of The Tudors, 2006, p. 17
MacLeod, Catharine, Tudor Portraits in the National Portrait Gallery Collection, 1996, p. 20
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 195
Simon, Jacob, The Art of the Picture Frame: Artists, Patrons and the Framing of Portraits in Britain, 1997 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 8 November 1996 - 9 February 1997), p. 150
Strong, Roy, Tudor and Jacobean Portraits, 1969, p. 88

Subjects & Themes

Hats and head-attire
Landscapes