The Gallery holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world. Search over 215,000 works, 150,000 of which are illustrated from the 16th Century to the present day.

Advanced Collection search

Search the Collection

Sir Thomas More

(1478-1535), Lord Chancellor; classical scholar; author of 'Utopia'; saint; canonised 1935

Sitter associated with 54 portraits
Humanist scholar and author of Utopia, which aimed to encourage the reform of English politics. The dialogues satirised European society and included the famous description of the newly discovered island of Utopia - a name derived from the Greek for 'nowhere'. The argument that statesmen need to adopt an indirect approach in order to steer policy, in a manner 'that adapts itself to the play in hand', is one of the defining precepts of humanist political philosophy. More became Henry VIII's Lord Chancellor in 1529. He opposed the King's divorce from Katherine of Aragon and refused to take the Oath of Supremacy, which acknowledged Henry as head of the Church of England. He was executed for treason in 1535 and canonised by the Catholic Church in 1935.

More on Sir Thomas More: Tudor & Jacobean Portraits book in our Shops

Tell us More

2 Likes voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation

List Thumbnail

Sir Thomas More, after Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG 4358

Sir Thomas More

after Hans Holbein the Younger
oil on panel, early 17th century, based on a work of 1527
NPG 4358

Sir Thomas More, after Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG 3543

Sir Thomas More

after Hans Holbein the Younger
oil on panel, late 16th century, based on a work of 1527
NPG 3543

Sir Thomas More, after Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG 306

Sir Thomas More

after Hans Holbein the Younger
oil on panel, late 16th century, based on a work of 1527
NPG 306

Sir Thomas More, his father, his household and his descendants, by Rowland Lockey, after Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG 2765

Sir Thomas More, his father, his household and his descendants

by Rowland Lockey, after Hans Holbein the Younger
oil on canvas, 1593
NPG 2765

Sir Thomas More, after Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG D39011

Sir Thomas More

after Hans Holbein the Younger
albumen print, (circa 1527)
NPG D39011

Sir Thomas More, after Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG D39012

Sir Thomas More

after Hans Holbein the Younger
red tonal carbon print, (circa 1527)
NPG D39012

Sir Thomas More, his father, his household and his descendants, after Rowland Lockey, after Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG D39014

Sir Thomas More, his father, his household and his descendants

after Rowland Lockey, after Hans Holbein the Younger
gelatin silver print, (1593-1594)
NPG D39014

Sir Thomas More, by Lucas Vorsterman - NPG D24946

Sir Thomas More

by Lucas Vorsterman
line engraving, probably 17th century
NPG D24946

Sir Thomas More, by Magdalena de Passe, or by Willem de Passe - NPG D24948

Sir Thomas More

by Magdalena de Passe, or by Willem de Passe
line engraving, 1620
NPG D24948

John Fisher; Sir Thomas More, after Unknown artist - NPG D35485

John Fisher; Sir Thomas More

after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D35485

Unknown man called Sir Thomas More, by Lucas Vorsterman, after (Claude) Corneille de Lyon - NPG D9866

Unknown man called Sir Thomas More

by Lucas Vorsterman, after (Claude) Corneille de Lyon
etching, 1631
NPG D9866

Sir Thomas More, by Robert White - NPG D24947

Sir Thomas More

by Robert White
line engraving, 1681
NPG D24947

'England's Worthies. The Lives of the Most Eminent Persons from Constantine The Great to This Present time', after Unknown artist - NPG D23930

'England's Worthies. The Lives of the Most Eminent Persons from Constantine The Great to This Present time'

after Unknown artist
woodcut, published 1684
NPG D23930

Sir Thomas More, by Pieter Stevens van Gunst, after Adriaen van der Werff - NPG D24313

Sir Thomas More

by Pieter Stevens van Gunst, after Adriaen van der Werff
line engraving, 1697
NPG D24313

Sir Thomas More, by Pieter Stevens van Gunst, after Adriaen van der Werff - NPG D39007

Sir Thomas More

by Pieter Stevens van Gunst, after Adriaen van der Werff
line engraving, 1697
NPG D39007

Sir Thomas More, by Pieter Stevens van Gunst, after Adriaen van der Werff - NPG D18783

Sir Thomas More

by Pieter Stevens van Gunst, after Adriaen van der Werff
line engraving, 1697
NPG D18783

Sir Thomas More, after Unknown artist - NPG D24310

Sir Thomas More

after Unknown artist
line engraving, probably 18th century
NPG D24310

Sir Thomas More, by Unknown artist - NPG D39009

Sir Thomas More

by Unknown artist
line engraving, 18th century
NPG D39009

Sir Thomas More, by George Vertue, after Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG D19798

Sir Thomas More

by George Vertue, after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, engraved 1725
NPG D19798

Sir Thomas More, by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Hans Holbein the Younger - NPG D39003

Sir Thomas More

by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, published 1741
NPG D39003

Related People

Category

Groups

Place

Links

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

What can you tell us?close

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citationclose

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)
Privacy Informationclose

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Your Emailclose

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.

Join

Become a Member

Enjoy access to special events, discounts on the Gallery online shop, supporters’ updates and much more

Join today

Get social

Bringing people together by sharing the portraits and stories of the men and women who have shaped our nation.

Facebook Instagram Twitter

Newsletter

Sign up to receive information on exhibitions, collections and activities of the National Portrait Gallery, including special offers, shop products, and exclusive competitions.

Sign up