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
after William Hogarth
line engraving, probably early 19th century
NPG D24176
by Henry Bone, after Hans Holbein the Younger
pencil drawing squared in ink for transfer, early 19th century
NPG D17182
by E. Bocquet
stipple engraving, published 1806
NPG D24157
Prince Henry aftwerwards King Henry VIII
published by William Richardson
stipple and line engraving, published 1810
NPG D23868
published for Rudolph Ackermann
hand-coloured stipple and aquatint engraving, 1814-1815
NPG D24934
by William Pengree Sherlock, published by James Anthony Molteno, after Hans Holbein the Younger
stipple engraving, published 10 March 1817
NPG D24159
by Henry Bone, after Unknown artist
pencil drawing squared in ink for transfer, 10 August 1822
NPG D17515
King Henry VIII and Sir Thomas More
by John Shury
line engraving, published 1825
NPG D24308
by William Thomas Fry, published by Harding & Lepard, after Hans Holbein the Younger
stipple engraving, published 1 December 1836
NPG D14929
'Statues in the New Palace at Westminster'
published by Illustrated London News
wood engraving, published 10 February 1855
NPG D47365
after Unknown artist
line block, late 19th century
NPG D24152
by Robert Jacob Hamerton, published by Metzler & Co
chromolithograph, 1870
NPG D42827
published by John Player & Sons, after Unknown artist
colour relief halftone cigarette card, 1935
NPG D48131
'King Henry VIII and his Six Wives'
designed by William K. Harper, manufactured by Doulton & Co Ltd
coloured and glazed earthenware, 1990
NPG D48093
printed by Harrison & Sons Ltd, issued by The Post Office, after Hans Holbein the Younger
colour photogravure postage stamp, issued 21 January 1997
NPG D49644
after Unknown artist
etching
NPG D24167
by John Faber Jr, published by John Bowles, after Hans Holbein the Younger
mezzotint, published circa 1750-1775
NPG D19955
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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