Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art

Description

MAGNIFICENT IMPORTANT OIL PORTRAIT PAINTING OF KING HENRY VII(7TH)
Estimated Dateline Early 17th Century.
RARE SURVIVING COPY (LATER CUT DOWN) AFTER HANS HOLBEIN THE YOUNGERS WHITEHALL PALACE DYNASTY MURAL OF(1536-37)WITH LATER ADDITION OF CROWN.

An impressive grand scale oil portrait on canvas of the King standing three-quarter length in a lavish interior and wearing a gold ermine lined cloak and black cap, unusually with a rare painted image of the post medieval crown at his side

This composition is derived from the 'Dynasty Portrait' in which Henry VIII in 1537 commissioned Hans Holbein the Younger to create a mural of the Tudor dynasty to commemorate his son Edwards birth.

Henry VIII ‘inherited’ Whitehall Palace after Cardinal Wolsey’s death in 1529. He spent a considerable amount of money on it and it was regarded as the largest 23 acre palace in Europe.

It was here that Holbein created his largest and most important royal commission, the Whitehall mural executed in 1536, in which Henry was portrayed with his Queen Jane Seymour and his parents, Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. Sadly the palace burned down on 4-5 January 1698 when a laundry maid left washing drying in front of an open fire.

Luckily, in 1667 the Flemish artist Remigius van Leemput (an assistant of Van Dyck) had produced a small copy of the great wall painting. It measured 88.9 x 98.7cm. This reduced version was created at the command of Leemput’s royal master King Charles II.

The painting included Latin verses(originally painted on the front of rostrum/but not shown in our version) directing praise at the two male rulers.

Paintings of the Kings and Queens of England such as this, or 'Long Gallery Sets' as they were known, were very popular in the 16th & 17th century & would be displayed in grand houses and castles.

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Hans Holbein the Younger (c. 1497-1543) was a German artist and official court painter to King Henry VIII. born 1497 - died November 29, 1543
Son of Hans Holbein the Elder, Hans Holbein the Younger was arguably one of the greatest portrait artists of his time. Born in Augsburg, Germany,he was taught by his father.
With a letter of introduction from his patron and mentor Erasmus, Holbein traveled to England for the first time in 1526. Holbein went on to paint many in the court of King Henry VIII, including Thomas More, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour and Anne of Cleves.
Holbein later contracted what was likely the plague and died in 1547.

HENRY TUDOR 1457-1509 (Crowned King Henry VII)

Henry VII was not an obvious candidate for the throne when he seized it by victory over Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485,after the French readily supplied him with troops and equipment for an invasion

Henry was born in Wales, his mother was just 13 years old. His father Edmund died before he was born.
His claim to the throne came through Margaret Beaufort,his mother,descended from John of Gaunt.
Henry died in 1509 at Richmond Palace, he is buried at Westminster Abbey and was succeeded by Henry VIII.

CONDITION
Signs of a hand woven reline some 200+ yrs ago Craquelure,old repair(dark area) & slight scuffs.

FRAME
17thc hand made wooden gilt frame,with tulips,fruit flowers, english roses,acorns and ribbons.

MEASUREMENTS Height 63 Ins Width 51 Ins Inc Frame
CANVAS VISUAL SIZE 56¼ x 44 in. (143 x 112 cm.)

IMAGE 12 PAINTING OF HOLBEINS MURAL BY LEEMPUT C1667
IMAGE 13 WATERCOLOUR COPY AFTER LEEMPUT
IMAGE 14 ORIGINAL HOLBEIN TUDOR CARTOON DRAWING

ENQUIRIES Tel 07765 856171