Hans Holbein the Younger, Volume 2 (of 2)Chamberlain, Arthur B. (Arthur Bensley)
History
Hans Holbein the Younger, Volume 2 (of 2)
Chamberlain, Arthur B. (Arthur Bensley)
Holbein, Hans, 1497-1543 -- Criticism and interpretation; Painters -- Germany -- Biography
All these portraits, whether by the Hornebolts or less important
copyists attached to Henry’s court, are based on Holbein’s Whitehall
painting. There is, however, one other representation of Henry VIII, of
about the date of Holbein’s first entry into the royal service, which is
of a very different character, and was not painted under the influence
of the great German. This is the fine picture at Hampton Court (No. 563
(313)), generally known as “King Henry VIII with a Scroll.”[233] He is
seen at half-length, with head turned slightly to the right, but eyes to
the front. He has reddish hair, and a small thin beard and moustache,
and his eyes are dark grey. He wears a doublet of cloth of gold, cut
square across the chest, covered with strings of pearls, and slashed
with rows of white puffs, above which his white frilled shirt is seen.
Over this is a sable-furred cloak. His black cap has a medallion, with
figures of the Virgin and Infant Christ in enamel, and a white jewelled
feather. In front of him is a table or ledge with a crimson cushion, on
which his right hand is placed, and a scroll of white paper, one end of
which he holds between the thumb and forefinger of his left. On it is
inscribed a sentence from the Gospel of St. Mark in Roman lettering:
“Marci—16. Ite in Mũdvm Vniversṽ et predicate Evangelivm omni creatvræ.”
The background is a rich green. It is on panel, 2 ft. 4 in. high × 1 ft.
10 in. wide.
Footnote 233:
Reproduced by Law, _Royal Gallery at Hampton Court_, p. 204.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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