King Henry VIII
(1491-1547), Reigned 1509-47Sitter associated with 99 portraits
Henry VIII succeeded his father Henry VII to the throne in 1509. He is well known for his six marriages, and for ordering the dissolution of religious houses which took place between 1535-39. Aided by his ministers, Cardinal Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell, his reign was characterised by ambition abroad and ruthlessness at home, firmly establishing the Tudor family as the ruling dynasty in England. His quest for a male heir and a divorce from his first wife Katherine of Aragon, led to his establishing himself as head of the Church in England in place of the Pope in 1535.
Explore the Staffordshire Potteries portrait of King Henry VIII from all angles | the portrait of King Henry VIII and his Six Wives from all angles
by Unknown Anglo-Netherlandish artist
oil on panel, circa 1535-1540
On display at British Galleries, Victoria & Albert Museum, London
NPG 1376
by Unknown Anglo-Netherlandish artist
oil on panel, circa 1535-1540
NPG 3638
King Henry VIII; King Henry VII
by Hans Holbein the Younger
ink and watercolour, circa 1536-1537
On display in Room 1 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 4027
after Hans Holbein the Younger
oil on copper, probably 17th century, based on a work of 1536
NPG 157
by Unknown artist
oil on panel, perhaps early 17th century, based on a work of circa 1542
NPG 496
by Unknown artist
oil on panel, circa 1575
NPG 4165
by Unknown artist
oil on panel, 1597-1618
NPG 4980(14)
after Hans Holbein the Younger
oil on panel, probably 17th century
NPG 324
'The Kings and Queens of England: From the Conquest to Queen Victoria'
by Henry Hering
albumen carte-de-visite photomontage, 1862
NPG Ax131392
after Unknown artist
etching, possibly 1545
NPG D24150
by Cornelis Metsys (Massys)
line engraving, 1548
NPG D24928
by Cornelis Metsys (Massys)
line engraving, 1548
NPG D24929
'The pope suppressed by King Henry VIII'
after Unknown artist
woodcut, 1570
NPG D23436
'The pope suppressed by King Henry VIII'
after Unknown artist
woodcut, 1570
NPG D24931
by Francis Delaram
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D24144
possibly by William Faithorne
line engraving, probably 17th century
NPG D24165
King Henry VIII, Thomas Cranmer, Thomas Cromwell, John Fisher, Pope Clement VII
after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly 17th century
NPG D24932
after Unknown artist
line engraving, probably 17th century
NPG D9467
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 17th-18th century
NPG D9458
Related People
- Anne Boleyn (wife)
- Anne of Cleves (wife)
- Arthur, Prince of Wales (brother)
- Lady Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond and Derby (grandmother)
- Catherine Howard (wife)
- King Edward VI (son)
- Queen Elizabeth I (daughter)
- Elizabeth of York (mother)
- King Henry VII (father)
- Jane Seymour (wife)
- Katherine of Aragon (wife)
- Katherine Parr (wife)
- Margaret Tudor (sister)
- Queen Mary I (daughter)
- Mary Tudor (sister)
- Henry Fitzroy, 1st Duke of Richmond and Somerset (son)
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