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Unknown man, formerly known as Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk

1 of 17 portraits of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Unknown man, formerly known as Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk

by Unknown artist
oil on panel, circa 1560
21 3/8 in. x 16 in. (543 mm x 406 mm)
Purchased, 1914
Primary Collection
NPG 1732

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Unknown artist, Artist. Artist or producer associated with 6578 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This painting was originally purchased by the National Portrait Gallery as a portrait of Thomas Howard, a nobleman who was executed as a traitor in 1572. However, the likeness does not closely resemble any known portraits of Norfolk. A painted inscription identifying the sitter as Norfolk on the back of the panel probably dates from the eighteenth or nineteenth century.
Microscopic examination of this portrait has revealed extensive retouching and very little of the original paint surface now remains. The condition of the portrait and the lack of any further information make it impossible to identify this sitter but he is likely to be a nobleman or a wealthy member of the gentry.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Cooper, Tarnya (introduction) Banville, John (character sketch) Chevalier, Tracy (character sketch) Fellowes, Julian (character sketch) McCall Smith, Alexander (character sketch) Pratchett, Terry (character sketch) Singleton, Sarah (character sketch) Trollope, Joanna (character sketch) Waters, Minette (character sketch), Imagined Lives: Portraits of Unknown People, 2011 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from December 2011 - June 2012), p. 35
  • Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 689
  • Strong, Roy, Tudor and Jacobean Portraits, 1969, p. 233

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Events of 1560back to top

Current affairs

Treaty of Edinburgh between England, France and Scotland. France removes forces from Scotland and Mary, Queen of Scots abandons her claim to the English crown.
An independent Scottish Parliament is established in Edinburgh, which in turn establishes the Church of Scotland. Influenced by the Protestant reformer John Knox, the reformed church abolishes papal authority in Scotland.

Art and science

Publication of Jing P'Ing Mei (The Plum in the Golden Vase) by Hsu Wei, the first socially realistic Chinese novel.

International

Death of Francis II of France. He is succeeded by his brother Charles IX with his mother, Catherine de Medici, as Regent. His widow, Mary, Queen of Scots, returns to Scotland the following year.
Akbar, Mughal Emperor of India, establishes a new capital at Agra.

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