King Henry VII

by Elkington & Co, cast by Domenico Brucciani, after Pietro Torrigiano
electrotype, 1870, based on a work of circa 1512-1519
34 5/8 in. x 20 1/8 in. (880 mm x 510 mm) overall
Purchased, 1869
Primary Collection
NPG 290

Sitterback to top

King Henry VII (1457-1509), Reigned 1485-1509. Sitter associated with 66 portraits.

Artistsback to top

Domenico Brucciani (1815-1880), Sculptor. Artist or producer associated with 23 portraits.
Elkington & Co, Sculptors. Artist or producer associated with 22 portraits.
Pietro Torrigiano (1472-1528), Sculptor. Artist or producer associated with 6 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This electrotype is a copy from the upper part of the gilt bronze effigy of the king on the double tomb with his wife, Elizabeth of York, at Westminster Abbey. It is one of a series of electrotype reproductions of tomb effigies made for the National Portrait Gallery by Elkington & Co in the 1870s. An electrotype sculpture of this type is made by electro-deposition of copper onto a mould or cast of an object. The electrotype could then be patinated like bronze.

Related worksback to top

NPG 291: Elizabeth of York (companion portrait)

Linked publicationsback to top

Smartify image discovery app
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 296
Strong, Roy, Tudor and Jacobean Portraits, 1969, p. 150

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1512back to top

Current affairs

King Henry VIII declares war on France. The English Fleet attacks villages on the French Coast and the port of Brest.

Art and science

King Henry VII's memorial chapel at Westminster Abbey is completed.

International

The Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I joins Pope Julius II's Holy League against France. The French commander in Italy, Gaston de Foix, is killed at the Battle of Ravenna and French advances are arrested.
Poland and Russia go to war over control of White Russia (present-day Belarus).

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