Hans Holbein the Younger: Painter to Henry VIII

"Portrait of Jane Seymour"
by Hans Holbein

"It is not clear exactly when Hans Holbein the Younger became official court painter of Henry VIII, as the royal account ledgers for 1532-1537 have been lost. He was certainly employed by 1536 at the latest, because the French poet, Nicholas Bourbon, sent his regards to him, referring to him as the 'king's painter.' 

"Henry VII, Elizabeth of York, Henry VIII and Jane Seymour"
by Hans Holbein

The duties of a court painter were many. We know, for example, that Holbein designed several precious objects for goldsmiths to fashion. Nevertheless, portraits were his principal business, and the top job was quite certainly to paint the king's portrait. In the 1530s, Henry VIII had enlarged his London residence Whitehall Palace, and needed a grand picture for it. It was to feature not only him and his wife Jane Seymour, but also his parents, the first Tudor monarchs, and was intended to proclaim the fame of the ruling house in word and image. Since the composition probably adorned one wall of the Privy Chamber, it was not aimed at a broad public but a select group at court.

As Jane most likely died while Holbein was painting the picture, only Henry VIII was alive when it was finished, so that the picture became very much a memorial - far more than had been planned. In contrast Henry VIII stands in the foreground, vigorous and powerful, like a colossus with legs apart and knees straight. His broad shoulders exaggerate the already unusual physical presence of this large man.

"Portrait of Edward, Prince of Wales"
by Hans Holbein the Younger

Holbein also painted a portrait of Henry VIII's son Edward, whose birth had caused Jane Seymour's death.The importance of this child was first and foremost dynastic, and the portrait is based on this assumption. Though the face has the rosy, chubby-cheeked features of a toddler, Edward holds his rattle as if it were a scepter and the gesture of the right hand seems like a gracious royal wave or a sign of blessing.  The Latin inscription, composed by Richard Morris, reads: 

Little one, emulate thy father and be the heir of his virtue; the world contains nothing greater. Heaven and earth could scarcely produce a son whose glory would surpass that of a father. Do thou but equal the deeds of thy parent, and men can ask no more. Shouldst thou surpass him, thou has outstript all, nor shall any surpass thee in ages to come.

Holbein presented the painting to Henry VIII on New Year's Day 1539, and received a gold goblet in return. Sadly, thought Edward outlived his father to become king for five years, he died at the tender age of fifteen."

To be continued

(Excerpts from "Hans Holbein" by Stephanie Buck.)