Prince Edward by Holbein, c.1538 - a photo on Flickriver

Portrait of Prince Edward by Hans Holbein the Younger, c.1538. Oil on panel; 56.8 x 44cm. National Gallery of Art, Washington, Andrew W. Mellon Collection.

This portrait, depicting Henry VIII’s infant son, Edward, was given to the King by Holbein for New Year 1539. Edward is depicted wearing a sumptuous outfit of red velvet and gold brocade; his cap has a huge ostrich feather that was probably provided by Paul Freland, the King’s ‘oystregefederer’.

The table Edward rests upon contains an inscription. It was composed by Richard Morison, one of the leading Henrician propagandists. It reads (translated from Latin):

‘Little one, emulate your father and be the heir of his virtue; the world contains nothing greater. Heaven and earth could scarcely produce a son whose glory would surpass that of such a father. Only equal the deeds of your parent and men can wish for no more. Surpass him and you have surpassed all the kings the world ever revered and none will surpass you’.

The portrait is reminiscent of the now lost Whitehall Mural, also by Holbein (c.1537). The mural, which was painted for the Privy Chamber of Whitehall Palace, depicted Henry VIII, his parents, Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, and Edward’s mother Jane Seymour. The figures flanked a pillar which contained an inscription that praised Henry VII’s achievements, namely his success in ending civil conflicts, but proclaimed that his son was greater for he had ‘removed the unworthy from the altars and replaced them by upright men’, as well as destroying papal power in the realm. Though Morison, in the portrait of Edward, allows for the possibility of the prince surpassing his father in achievements, he reminds Edward that Henry’s actions are miraculous enough. To follow Henry is to follow glory.

The portrait also served to indicate to Henry and others how well Edward was faring. Though Edward died young, he was never a sickly child and reports of his good health were continuously made. The same year the baby sat for Holbein, it was reported that “Our Prince … is in good health, and sucketh like a child of his puissance”. Like all royal children, especially future monarchs, the subject of Edward’s marriage was raised immediately after his birth. In 1538, Henry was pursuing several possibilities, including a French bride, and wanted to ensure that the prince’s good health was regarded as indisputable in all major European courts. Portraits like this supported such remarks. The same year Holbein completed this portrait, he also designed a miniature of Edward, which may have been intended to be sent abroad:

www.flickr.com/photos/20631910@N03/5393025857/in/set-7215...

Taken on: January 30, 2011

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Edward

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Sets appears in: • Early modern European portraits • Henry VIII more » • Edward VI • Hans Holbein « less

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