Portrait of an Unknown Man, possibily identifiable as Thomas Seymour (c.1508-49) thumbnail 1
Portrait of an Unknown Man, possibily identifiable as Thomas Seymour (c.1508-49) thumbnail 2
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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Not currently on display at the V&A
On short term loan out for exhibition

Portrait of an Unknown Man, possibily identifiable as Thomas Seymour (c.1508-49)

Drawing
ca. 1535 - 1540 (made)
Artist/Maker
Holbein, Hans (II) (artist)
Place of origin
England (made)

On the basis of comparison with an identified portrait miniature from Holbein's circle (National Maritime Museum, London; MNT 0137) it has been suggested (by Oliver, et. al. 2006) that this drawing may be a likeness of Thomas Seymour (c.1508-49), the brother of Jane Seymour, Henry VIII's 3rd wife, who married Henry's widow Katherine Parr in 1547 and was executed for treason in 1549).


Object details

Category
Drawings
Object type
Drawing
TitlePortrait of an Unknown Man, possibily identifiable as Thomas Seymour (c.1508-49) (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Black and coloured chalks on prepared paper
Chalk
Prepared Paper
Drawing
Brief description
Holbein, Hans (II); Portrait, head and shoulders, of a bearded middle-aged man, bare-headed and wearing a fur collar. Three-quarter face, turned to left; Black and coloured chalks on prepared paper; England; 16th century
Physical description
Portrait, head and shoulders, of a bearded middle-aged man, bare-headed and wearing a fur collar. Three-quarter face, turned to left; Black and coloured chalks on prepared paper.
Dimensions
  • From catalogue. height: 35.6cm
  • From catalogue. width: 27cm
Marks and inscriptions
Holbein (Inscribed in pencil on the original mount.)
Credit line
Bequeathed by Rev. Alexander Dyce
Object history
This drawing was formerly in the collection of Padre Resta and bears an unidentified mark, probably that of an English collector of the late 17th or early 18th century.
Subject depicted
Man
Summary
On the basis of comparison with an identified portrait miniature from Holbein's circle (National Maritime Museum, London; MNT 0137) it has been suggested (by Oliver, et. al. 2006) that this drawing may be a likeness of Thomas Seymour (c.1508-49), the brother of Jane Seymour, Henry VIII's 3rd wife, who married Henry's widow Katherine Parr in 1547 and was executed for treason in 1549).
Bibliographic references
  • Foister, Susan, Holbein in England, London: Tate Publishing, 2007.
  • Lois Oliver with Victoria Button, Alan Derbyshire, Nick Frayling and Rob Withnall, 'New evidence towards an attribution to Holbein of a drawing in the Victoria and Albert Museum', Burlington Magazine, March 2006, CXLVIII, 168-172
  • DYCE COLLECTION. A Catalogue of the Paintings, Miniatures, Drawings, Engravings, Rings and Miscellaneous Objects Bequeathed by The Reverend Alexander Dyce. London : South Kensington Museum, 1874.
  • Lambert, Susan. Drawing: Technique & Purpose. London: Victoria & Albert Museum, 1981. p.21.
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
DYCE.363

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Record createdOctober 16, 2006
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O128632/portrait-of-an-unknown-man-drawing-holbein-hans-ii/
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