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Sir Thomas More
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One of the most original of Renaissance thinkers, an influential politician at the court of Henry VIII, and, since 1935, a saint in the Roman Catholic Church, Sir Thomas More also played an important role in the development of English portraiture through his patronage of Hans Holbein the Younger. Here More wears a so-called livery chain, a mark of his service to Henry VIII. He would eventually be beheaded in 1535, when he refused to support the king’s divorce and breach with the Catholic church. This miniature painted by a later follower of Holbein attests to the enduring resonance of More’s image and legacy.
| Artist / Maker | Hans Holbein the Younger |
|---|---|
| Date | 1600s |
| Culture / Origin | Germany |
| Medium | oil on wood in a gilt wood frame |
| Dimensions | Framed: 8.6 x 8.6 x 1.3 cm (3 3/8 x 3 3/8 x 1/2 in.); Diameter: 6.5 cm (2 9/16 in.); Unframed: 6.7 x 6.4 cm (2 5/8 x 2 1/2 in.); Diameter of frame: 8 cm (3 1/8 in.) |
| Department | European Painting and Sculpture |
| Type | Portrait Miniature |
About the Artist
Hans Holbein the Younger (German, active England and Switzerland, 1497/98–1543) Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
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