Lady Rich (Elizabeth Jenks, died 1558)
Original title: Lady Rich (Elizabeth Jenks, died 1558)
kurzbeschreibung
Elizabeth Jenks, Lady Rich, who died in 1558, was painted by Hans Holbein the Younger around 1540. The portrait is in oil and gold on oak. Against a dark ground she appears in a pearl-studded cap and a black gown finished with a white collar.
Description
A dark cap densely set with pearls frames the face and hides the hair completely. Beneath it she wears a black dress with a white collar and a pale blouse, and a medallion with a gold rim sits at her throat. Both hands are visible, one enclosed in a white glove. The flat, dark backdrop throws face and hands forward, which the light models clearly.
Context
As court painter to Henry VIII, Hans Holbein the Younger produced likenesses of many members of the English nobility. Among them was Elizabeth Jenks, who served at court as Lady Rich and died in 1558. Her portrait dates from around 1540, a period in which Holbein was known for his closely observed, richly detailed likenesses.
Impact
Calm and concentration define the portrait, whose muted tones feel dignified and restrained. Because the light falls on face and hands, the picture gains an intimate, almost withdrawn quality that brings out the sitter's gravity.
Technique
The portrait was executed in oil and gold on oak, as was customary for Renaissance portraiture. Fine brushwork records fabrics, pearls and the medallion in detail, while the gold applications set bright accents.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)