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Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex

(circa 1485-1540), Statesman

Sitter associated with 28 portraits
Cromwell rose to power as Cardinal Wolsey's right-hand man, later becoming principal secretary and chief minister to Henry VIII. He was a brilliant administrator and evangelical reformer, ruthlessly pursuing the dissolution of the monasteries. He was one of the architects of the king's break from the Roman Catholic Church, suggesting in 1520 that Henry become 'supreme head' of the Church of England in order to allow divorce proceedings against his first wife Katherine of Aragon. He later negotiated Henry's fourth marriage to Anne of Cleves, and was created Earl in 1540. However, the failure of the king's marriage and accusations of treason by his powerful enemies led to his execution.

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Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, after Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG 1083

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex

after Hans Holbein the Younger
oil on panel, 16th century
NPG 1083

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, after Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG 1727

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex

after Hans Holbein the Younger
oil on panel, early 17th century, based on a work of 1532-1533
On display in Room 1 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 1727

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, attributed to Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG 6310

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex

attributed to Hans Holbein the Younger
watercolour and bodycolour on vellum, circa 1532-1533
NPG 6310

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, studio of Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG 6311

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex

studio of Hans Holbein the Younger
watercolour and bodycolour on vellum, circa 1537
NPG 6311

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, after Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG D19228

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex

after Hans Holbein the Younger
oil on paper, (circa 1525-1550)
NPG D19228

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, after Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG D36562

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex

after Hans Holbein the Younger
photographic print, (circa 1533-1534)
NPG D36562

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, possibly by Simon de Passe, after  Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG D19189

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex

possibly by Simon de Passe, after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, published 1620
NPG D19189

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, by Unknown artist, by  Wenceslaus Hollar - NPG D9736

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex

by Unknown artist, by Wenceslaus Hollar
etching, mid 17th century
NPG D9736

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, by John Fillian, printed and published by  Peter Stent, after  Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG D21295

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex

by John Fillian, printed and published by Peter Stent, after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, published 1653
NPG D21295

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, probably by Nicholas Pitaut II, after  Adriaen van der Werff - NPG D24209

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex

probably by Nicholas Pitaut II, after Adriaen van der Werff
line engraving, possibly late 17th century
NPG D24209

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, possibly by I. Absolam, after  Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG D24211

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex

possibly by I. Absolam, after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, possibly 18th century
NPG D24211

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, after Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG D24212

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex

after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, possibly 18th century
NPG D24212

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, after Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG D24213

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex

after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, possibly 18th century
NPG D24213

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, by Jacobus Houbraken, after  Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG D24208

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex

by Jacobus Houbraken, after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, published 1739
NPG D24208

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, by Jacobus Houbraken, published by  John & Paul Knapton, after  Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG D36566

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex

by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, published 1739
NPG D36566

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