Sir Thomas More
(1478-1535), Lord Chancellor; classical scholar; author of 'Utopia'; saint; canonised 1935Sitter 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.
after Hans Holbein the Younger
oil on panel, late 16th century, based on a work of 1527
NPG 3543
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
oil on canvas, 1593
On display in Room 1 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 2765
after Hans Holbein the Younger
albumen print, (circa 1527)
NPG D39011
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
gelatin silver print, (1593-1594)
NPG D39014
by Lucas Vorsterman
line engraving, probably 17th century
NPG D24946
by Magdalena de Passe, or by Willem de Passe
line engraving, 1620
NPG D24948
possibly by Crispijn de Passe the Elder, after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, 1620
NPG D19185
after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D35485
Unknown man called Sir Thomas More
by Lucas Vorsterman, after (Claude) Corneille de Lyon
etching, 1631
NPG D9866
by Robert White
line engraving, 1681
NPG D24947
after Unknown artist
woodcut, published 1684
NPG D23930
by Pieter Stevens van Gunst, after Adriaen van der Werff
line engraving, 1697
NPG D24313
by Pieter Stevens van Gunst, after Adriaen van der Werff
line engraving, 1697
NPG D39007
by Pieter Stevens van Gunst, after Adriaen van der Werff
line engraving, 1697
NPG D18783
after Unknown artist
line engraving, probably 18th century
NPG D24310
by Unknown artist
line engraving, 18th century
NPG D39009
by George Vertue, after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, engraved 1725
NPG D19798
Related People
- Margaret Clements (née Giggs) (daughter)
- Elizabeth Dauncey (née More) (daughter)
- Cecily Heron (née More) (daughter)
- Alice More (née Middleton) (wife)
- Anne More (née Cresacre) (daughter)
- Sir John More (father)
- John More (son)
- Thomas More II (grandson)
- Margaret Roper (daughter)
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