Description
Rare opportunity to acquire a fine early Old Master Oil Portrait on Wooden Panel of Henry Viii (1491-1547) wearing a jewelled chain, fur garments and a feathered hat.
A stunning authentic museum standard of work ‘ Follower of ‘ Hans Holbein the Younger (Augsburg 1497 – London 1543) is rarely
found for sale and at such a reasonable price.
Estimated Late 16th – very early 17th century 1590- 1625 / Oil On Cradled Oak Panel.
King Henry VIII of England is depicted frontally in a half-length pose with a majestic aura that emphasises his strongly authoritarian and fearsome presence.
The painting is inspired by a lost work by Hans Holbein the Younger, a painter of the English court from 1536, which depicted a monumental full-length Henry, originally commissioned to decorate his private rooms at Whitehall Palace in London.
This work was considered to be one of the most powerful and iconic images of the monarch and, although destroyed in a fire in 1698, this image has been passed down through the centuries through countless reproduced copies and versions, which has made it so famous.
The author, who depicted the king without any royal symbols such as a sword, crown or sceptre, was equally able to show his majesty through his frontal posture as he looks directly at the viewer, and his expression, proud as a warrior in an act of defiance.
The physiognomy of the ruler created by Holbein is astonishing, faithful to reality but at the same time capable of creating a timeless image of the king, and thus disseminated as an ante litteram election poster, a propaganda work that wanted him depicted in an imposing manner, designed to increase the idea of majesty and his role in the state and religion.
Henry strategically recognised the power of the image created by Holbein, and immediately encouraged other artists to make copies, to be distributed in various versions throughout the kingdom, or as gifts to friends and ambassadors.
It should also be noted that many nobles had private copies made for their residences as an obvious sign of loyalty to the sovereign dynasty.
Among these replicas made later from Holbein’s model, most of which were painted in the 2nd half of the 16th or early 17th century, often readapted to a smaller size, our beautiful panel should certainly also be considered.
Apart from the portrait of Henry Xviii now in the Collection of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid, the only one remaining executed by the same Holbein, there are many copies, executed by other artists, which, like ours, enrich the posthumous iconography.
Among the most famous we mention below :
– Windsor Castle, Royal Collection, Follower of Hans Holbein the Younger
– Art Gallery of Ontario, Second half of the 16th century, Circle of Hans Holbein the Younger
– Collection Blickling Hall, Norfolk, Follower of Hans Holbein the Younger
– Chatsworth House c. 1560-73, by Hans Eworth, probably commissioned by William Cavendish
– Hampton Court Palace, 1667, executed by Remigius van Leemput
– National Gallery of Ancient Art, Rome, Follower of Hans Holbein the Younger
– National Museum in Warsaw, 1540, workshop of Hans Holbein the Younger
– Trinity College, Cambridge, c. 1567, Executed by Hans Eworth
The robes are richly ornamented, as a sign of royal opulence, with jewellery and massive gold necklace studded with precious stones: gold tones dominate and are further emphasised by the brocaded embroidery.He wears a black velvet hat studded with pearls and diamonds with white ostrich feathers placed diagonally.
Condition :
Very Good Indeed for age.Slight signs of centuries old woodworm now long dead mainly within frame , waxed over, minute signs on panel which is unnoticeable after careful work.Frame has nice aged patina.
Past historical restoration & conservation, light clean, 19th cradling.
Frame:
Height 32.75 Ins (83 cm) x Width :28 Ins (71cm)
Delivery : UK £150 / Worldwide £400 / Crated