Portrait of a Man in Royal Livery
Original title: Portrait of a Man in Royal Livery
kurzbeschreibung
Unlike the usual court portraits of those years, this round miniature by Hans Holbein the Younger (1532–35) shows a man in a red livery whose trim carries the initials 'H' and 'I'. The work is executed in oil and gold on parchment, laid down on linden wood.
Description
A man appears in a red cap and red shirt; a black collar and a white collar ornament add accents. The letters 'H' and 'I' stand out in black on the shirt. A dark green ground surrounds the figure, and a gold-coloured oval frame with grooved decoration encloses the image.
Context
The portrait falls in Holbein's second period in England, when he worked as court painter to Henry VIII. The initials 'H' and 'I' suggest Henry VIII and his then wife Jane Seymour, which points to a date around 1535. The sitter may be a royal servant, though his identity remains uncertain.
Impact
What sets this miniature apart from larger portraits is the combination of finest detail and luminous colour, achieved through oil and gold. The round shape with its decorated frame gives the work a precious, intimate presence.
Technique
Holbein worked with oil and gold on parchment, which was then laid down on linden wood. This method was common for Renaissance miniature portraits and allowed precise, detailed rendering.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)