King Henry VII (1457–1509)
British (English) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1500 - 1599
Materials
Oil on oak panel
Measurements
360 x 255 mm
Order this imageCollection
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
NT 1129171
Caption
King Henry VII was the father of the Tudor dynasty, winning the throne when he defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, and establishing a Tudor monarchy that would continue until the death of Elizabeth I in 1603. Henry’s typical iconography is used here, from the rich fur trim on his robes, to the quintessential inclusion of the Tudor rose, which he holds in his delicate and regal hand. Similar to the portrait of Henry VIII in the same collection at Hardwick, this is one of many copies from an original, now lost.
Summary
Oil painting on oak panel, King Henry VII (1457–1509), British (English) School, 16th century. A half-length portrait, turned slightly to the right, gazing to the right, wearing a brown cloak with fur collar over cloth of gold and a black cap, holding a Tudor rose in his right hand.
Provenance
Inventory of the contents of Hardwick Hall made in 1601 and attached to the will of Elizabeth Hardwick,Countess of Shrewsbury (c.1520-1608);
Credit line
Hardwick Hall, The Devonshire Collection (acquired through the National Land Fund and transferred to The National Trust in 1959)
Marks and inscriptions
Recto: top left: Henricus top right: VII Verso: Inscribed on back of panel in heavy black: Duke of Devonshire / Hardwick Freeman label 1960:1205 (F) Fix blisters / C.R Freeman label 1970 :757 Blister / 7-1-70)
Makers and roles
British (English) School, artist