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The Progression In Portraiture Of England’S Monarch 1500-1800 A.D.

The Progression in Portraiture of England’s Monarch 1500-1800 A.D.

From the beginning of the 16th century to the end of the 18th century several court artists depicted the ruling monarchs of England in their own unique style. While each artist was undeniably influenced by the works of preceding court artists, each artist evolved methods of style, color, technique, and element that made their portraits undoubtedly their own. While these artists came from all over Europe – Germany, England, Scotland, Belgium, Holland – all had the same end in mind; to portray the ruling monarch of England in a favorable light. The works of Hans Holbein, Nicolas Hilliard, Anthony Van Dyck, Peter Lely, Alan Ramsay, and Joshua Reynolds all achieve this goal in differing ways. This paper will analyze a portrait of England’s ruling monarch by each of these court artists, defining which elements of style, color, technique, and element make the portrait unique to the artist.


King Henry VIII, as portrayed by Holbein.

Hans Holbein, a German painter, completed the painting above of King Henry VIII circa 1536. It is now part of the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection. Around this time portraiture in England began to boom – paintings of any subject besides portraits and allegorical scenes were banned after 1533 in Protestant, aristocratic England. King Henry VIII was responsible for bringing Holbein to London and employing him as his court artist. Holbein would complete many of his finest portraits, including the one above, in London until he died in 1543. (MSN Encarta)
Holbein’s works are characterized by portraying a definitive image of his subject. His portraits grasp the personality and character of his subjects. His portrait above of King Henry VIII is no exception. The King is the only element of the painting; no other objects are included. The King’s importance, wealth, and authority are depicted, although the portrait is not entirely favorable as his expression suggests...