Early 20th Century Tudor Oil Portrait of Sir Thomas More Manner of Hans Holbein

Details

Description

Early 20th Century Tudor Portrait of Sir Thomas More Manner of Hans Holbein

Large Decorative Historical Oil on Canvas Inspired … Read more Early 20th Century Tudor Portrait of Sir Thomas More Manner of Hans Holbein

Large Decorative Historical Oil on Canvas Inspired by the Celebrated Tudor Portrait Tradition of Hans Holbein the Younger

Highlights

• Early 20th-century historical portrait
• Sir Thomas More (1478-1535)
• Manner of Hans Holbein the Younger
• Oil on canvas
• Cheffins Fine Art provenance
• Rich Tudor costume in red, fur and gold
• Collar of Esses with Tudor rose pendant
• Atmospheric dark background
• Unsigned
• Framed 92.8 cm high x 79 cm wide x 2.5 cm deep
• Approximately 36.54 x 31.10 x 0.98 inches framed
• Later decorative gilt moulded frame
• Impressive scale for a library, study or collected interior
• Supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution

Introduction

A richly atmospheric early 20th-century portrait of **Sir Thomas More**, painted in the manner of Hans Holbein the Younger and based upon the enduring Tudor portrait tradition associated with the great Renaissance court painter.

More is depicted in sumptuous red and fur-trimmed costume against a deep dark background, allowing the sitter's face, clothing and elaborate gold chain to dominate the composition.

The combination of Tudor iconography, Old Master-inspired portraiture and substantial decorative scale makes the painting particularly suited to a sophisticated traditional, English country-house or layered collected interior.

Catalogue Details

Attribution: Manner of Hans Holbein the Younger

Subject: Sir Thomas More (1478-1535)

Date: Early 20th century

Medium: Oil on canvas

Style: Historical Portraiture / Old Master Inspired

Signature: Unsigned

Canvas Dimensions: Approximately 79 cm high x 64.5 cm wide

Framed Dimensions: 92.8 cm high x 79 cm wide x 2.5 cm deep

Framed Dimensions in Inches: Approximately 36.54 inches high x 31.10 inches wide x 0.98 inches deep

Frame: Later decorative gilt moulded frame

Provenance: Cheffins Fine Art

Catalogue Note

This portrait draws its visual authority from one of the most enduring images associated with Tudor England.

The sitter is presented half-length against a dark background, allowing the artist to concentrate attention upon More's distinctive face and luxurious clothing.

The intense red costume forms a dramatic area of colour, relieved by the softer texture of broad fur trim and the reflective gold tones of the Collar of Esses.

The Tudor rose suspended from the chain provides a particularly evocative historical detail.

Although the painting dates from the early 20th century, its composition deliberately evokes the formality and visual richness of historic Tudor court portraiture.

Hung above a fireplace, within a library, against dark-panelled walls or as part of an eclectic salon arrangement, the portrait has sufficient scale and colour to establish a strong focal point.

Sir Thomas More

Sir Thomas More was born in 1478 and became a leading lawyer, Renaissance humanist, writer and political figure.

His career culminated in his appointment as Lord Chancellor under Henry VIII.

More was also the author of *Utopia*, published in 1516 and subsequently regarded as one of the most influential works of Renaissance humanist thought.

His eventual conflict with Henry VIII resulted in his execution in 1535.

More's distinctive image has remained closely connected with the portraits associated with Hans Holbein the Younger.

The Holbein Tradition

Hans Holbein the Younger created the celebrated portrait of Sir Thomas More in 1527.

Its combination of psychological intensity, luxurious costume and precise observation helped establish the visual image through which More became known to later generations.

The present painting is a much later interpretation belonging to that enduring portrait tradition.

It was previously catalogued by Cheffins Fine Art as **Manner of Hans Holbein (Early 20th Century)**, and this attribution is retained.

It is not represented as an original painting by Holbein.

Decorative Character

The portrait has a particularly strong interior presence.

Rich red, warm gold, pale fur and the dark background create a sophisticated palette, while the gilt frame adds a further architectural and decorative element.

Its 92.8 cm framed height lends it particularly well to traditional interiors, libraries, studies, entrance halls and rooms combining antique furniture with historic works of art.

Provenance

Cheffins Fine Art, The Interiors Sale, 16 January 2025, Lot 434.

Subsequently curated and presented by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.

Dimensions

Canvas:

Approximately 79 cm high x 64.5 cm wide
Approximately 31.10 inches high x 25.39 inches wide

Framed:

92.8 cm high x 79 cm wide x 2.5 cm deep
Approximately 36.54 inches high x 31.10 inches wide x 0.98 inches deep


Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution

The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.

Attribution and Research

The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.

These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.

Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®

Specialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art.

Every artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service.

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