The Gallery holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world. Search over 215,000 works, 150,000 of which are illustrated from the 16th Century to the present day.

Advanced Collection search

Unknown man, formerly known as Richard Hooker

© National Portrait Gallery, London

 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Buy a print Make a donation
  • Buy a print
  • Use this image
  • ShareShare this

Unknown man, formerly known as Richard Hooker

by Unknown artist
oil on panel, 16th century?
20 1/8 in. x 13 in. (511 mm x 330 mm)
Given by John Neale Dalton, 1890
Primary Collection
NPG 844

Sitterback to top

  • Richard Hooker (1554-1600), Theologian and philosopher. Sitter associated with 17 portraits.

Artistback to top

This portraitback to top

This unusual object has rarely been displayed. It was given to the Gallery in 1890 when it was thought to be a portrait of the Protestant theologian Richard Hooker. The identity of the sitter is unknown but it is probably a Dutch or Flemish patron The composition on the other side was originally thought to be a fragment from an earlier painting that had been broken up and then reused in order to make the portrait. Re-examination of the portrait has shown that both sides of the wooden panel support were painted at the same time. Given the subject matter of the composition, which relates to resurrection, and the pose of the sitter, it seems most likely that this panel once formed the wing or door of a small triptych altarpiece. The monochrome painting would have been visible on the front of the altarpiece when it was closed. When opened, the sitter in the portrait would have faced towards a central composition depicting a subject such as the Crucifixion. The hinged panel would probably have been mirrored by a portrait of another donor on the other wing.

Linked publicationsback to top

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1500back to top

Current affairs

Henry VII meets Philip the Fair of Burgundy at Calais to confirm the resolution of trade disputes with the Netherlands and to discuss dynastic marriages for Prince Henry, later Henry VIII, and Princess Mary, later Queen of France.

Art and science

Pedro Álvares Cabral becomes the first European to sail to Brazil, and claims the land for Portugal.
William Caxton's successor, Wynkyn de Worde, establishes a printing press in Fleet Street, London. The area becomes synonymous with printing.

International

Louis XII of France and Ferdinand II of Aragon agree to divide the Kingdom of Naples between them at the Treaty of Granada

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this portrait? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license this image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

What can you tell us?close

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citationclose

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)
Privacy Informationclose

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Your Emailclose

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.