King Henry VIII

1 portrait

King Henry VIII

after Unknown artist
oil on panel, perhaps early 17th century (circa 1542)
35 in. x 26 1/4 in. (889 mm x 667 mm)
Purchased, 1878
Primary Collection
NPG 496

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Sitterback to top

King Henry VIII (1491-1547), Reigned 1509-47. Sitter associated with 90 portraits.

Artistback to top

Unknown artist. Artist associated with 6233 portraits.

This portraitback to top

With the possible exception of his daughter Elizabeth I, no monarch has matched Henry VIII's ability to control his public image and impose it on posterity. This is a version of a late portrait of the King, showing him towards the end of his life. It is thought to derive from a lost painting by Hans Holbein the Younger.

Linked publicationsback to top

Gittings, Clare, The National Portrait Gallery Book of The Tudors, 2006, p. 7
MacLeod, Catherine, Tudor and Jacobean Portraits in the National Portrait Gallery Collection at Montacute House, 1999, p. 8
Ribeiro, Aileen, The Gallery of Fashion, 2000, p. 29
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 297
Strong, Roy, Tudor and Jacobean Portraits, 1969, p. 157
Williamson, David, The National Portrait Gallery: History of the Kings and Queens of England, 1998, p. 89
Williamson, David, Kings and Queens, 2010, p. 92