King Henry IV (1367–1413)
British (English) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1500 - 1699
Materials
Oil on panel (red-ruddled back)
Measurements
540 x 457 mm (21 1/4 x 18 in)
Order this imageCollection
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
NT 1129169
Caption
Henry IV was the son of John of Gaunt (1340-1399) and Blanche of Lancaster (1345-1369), daughter of Henry Grosmont, Duke of Lancaster. He was referred to as Henry Bolingbroke, a name taken from his birthplace at Bolingbroke Castle, in Lincolnshire. He was made a Knight of the Garter on 23 April 1377, and between 1384 and 1399 came into possession of several Dukedoms and Earldoms, until he usurped the throne of England upon the abdication of Richard II on 30 September 1399. He was crowned on 13th October 1399 at Westminster Abbey. Married twice, his first wife Mary de Bohun (1369-1394) bore him seven children, although his second wife, Joan of Navarre (1370-1437), bore him none. Henry IV died of a disease resembling leprosy and was buried in Canterbury Cathedral. This portrait is a similar composition to many others, probably from an original master copy.
Summary
Oil painting on panel (stained-red oak - ruddling - or mahogany), King Henry IV (1367–1413), British (English) School, 16th/17th century. A half-length portrait, turned slightly to the left, gazing at spectator, wearing a green robe embroidered with gold bands, red headdress, holding a rose in his right hand and a sceptre in his left. King Henry IV of Lancaster, surnamed Bolingbroke was the son of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, third son of Edward III. He deposed Richard II, and by usurping the throne gave rise to the Civil War between the Houses of York and Lancaster.There is no portrait of Henry IV painted from life and the only valid likeness is his tomb effigy so it was not until the close of the 16th century that what became generally accepted as the standard portrait of Henry IV was evolved.
Provenance
In Inventory of the contents of Hardwick Hall made in 1601 and attached to the will of Elizabeth Hardwick, Countess of Shrewsbury (c.1520-1608) and thence by descent until, following the death of Edward William Spencer Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire (1895 - 1950), Hardwick Hall and its contents were accepted by HM Treasury in part payment of death duties and transferred to the National Trust, in 1959
Credit line
Hardwick Hall, The Devonshire Collection (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
centre left HENRICUS YE IV
Makers and roles
British (English) School, artist
References
Strong 1969 Roy Strong, Tudor and Jacobean Portraits, National Portrait Gallery, London 1969 [2 vols], Vol.1 pp.142-143