John Fisher
2 of 310 portraits by Hans Holbein the Younger
© National Portrait Gallery, London
John Fisher
after Hans Holbein the Younger
oil on paper, 16th century, based on a work of circa 1527
8 1/4 in. x 7 1/2 in. (210 mm x 191 mm)
Purchased, 1936
Primary Collection
NPG 2821
Sitterback to top
- John Fisher (1469-1535), Bishop of Rochester, cardinal and martyr. Sitter associated with 34 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Hans Holbein the Younger (1497 or 1498-1543), Painter, printmaker and designer; son of Hans Holbein the Elder. Artist or producer associated with 310 portraits, Sitter associated with 25 portraits.
This portraitback to top
This drawing is a rare survival of a face pattern used by an artist's studio to produce a painted portrait. It is probable that many other such patterns would have been made for other sitters.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Tudor Portraits Resource Pack, p. 11
- Bolland, Charlotte, The Tudors Passion, Power and Politics, 2022, p. 43
- MacLeod, Catharine, Tudor Portraits in the National Portrait Gallery Collection, 1996, p. 11
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 218
- Strong, Roy, Tudor and Jacobean Portraits, 1969, p. 119
Events of 1527back to top
Current affairs
King Henry VIII tries to obtain the annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon and sends envoys to the Pope to seek his support.An Anglo-French alliance is made between King Henry VIII and Francis I of France.
Art and science
Sir Thomas More, author of Utopia, is painted by the German artist Hans Holbein the YoungerInternational
Rome sacked by imperial forces. Pope Clement VII is imprisoned and most of Italy falls under the control of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.Florence becomes a republic after the Medici rulers, nephews of Pope Clement VII, are exiled.
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