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The 1505 Portrait of Henry VII

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2008

Frederick Hepburn
Frederick Hepburn
Affiliation:
26 Ewlyn Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham GL53 7PB, UK. E-mail: .
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Abstract

The aim of this paper is to offer as full a discussion as possible of the best-known portrait of Henry VII. Information from a variety of sources elucidates the context in which the portrait was painted and the nature of its iconography; in particular, evidence is presented to show that the red rose was a symbol of great personal significance to Henry. With regard to the portrayal of Henry himself it is suggested that his face conforms essentially to an approved ‘pattern’ that had been recently reworked and updated, and that the frequently expressed modern view of the portrait as representing a mean and crafty character results from a misinterpretation of the artist's intentions. In a final section attention is given to the question of the identity of the artist, whose name remains unknown.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Antiquaries Journal , Volume 88 , September 2008 , pp. 222 - 257
Copyright
Copyright © The Society of Antiquaries of London 2008

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References

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