Thomas Wriothesley (1505–1550), First Earl of Southampton
Original title: Thomas Wriothesley (1505–1550), First Earl of Southampton
kurzbeschreibung
Around 1535, Hans Holbein the Younger made this small portrait of Thomas Wriothesley, the first Earl of Southampton. It is executed in watercolour and gouache on vellum, which has been laid on card. The sitter is shown in profile against a blue ground.
Description
Your gaze follows the profile of Thomas Wriothesley, whose eyes turn slightly to the left. A dark cap covers his head, and a coat with a fur collar rests on his shoulders. A plain blue field forms the background and brings the face forward. A gold frame surrounds the oval portrait, with a loop at the top for hanging. The tones are clear, and the painting remains precise in detail.
Context
As court painter to Henry VIII, Holbein the Younger produced many portraits of members of the English court. Thomas Wriothesley was among the influential courtiers and later became Lord Chancellor. Small portraits of this kind often served as personal keepsakes or gifts in court circles. This sheet was made during a period when Holbein was working for the king and the nobility.
Impact
The calm, concentrated expression of the profile draws the eye at once. Because the background stays a single colour, attention rests entirely on the face. The clear colouring and exact execution make the person seem close and present. Nothing distracts; the arrangement feels still and collected.
Technique
The portrait is worked in watercolour and gouache on vellum, a fine parchment that was laid on card. This method was common for sixteenth-century miniature portraits and allowed for precise reproduction. The vellum support was particularly suited to the small format.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)