The Painting Of Henry VII, Elizabeth of York, Henry VIII & Jane Seymour

The Painting Of Henry VII, Elizabeth of York, Henry VIII & Jane Seymour

Henry VII and his son Henry VIII stand to the left of a central sarcophagus – inscribed with Latin verses celebrating the Tudor dynasty.

Their queens, Elizabeth of York and Jane Seymour stand on the other side, within a richly decorated Renaissance room.

The painting was copied by the Flemish artist Remigius van Leemput for Charles II, from Holbein’s life-size mural on the wall of the Privy Chamber in Whitehall.

Holbein’s version was painted for Henry VIII in 1537.
Sadly, the wall-painting was destroyed by the fire at Whitehall Palace on 4th January 1698.

Holbein’s original preparatory sketch for the left half of the composition, is in the National Portrait Gallery.

Leemout’s copy is the only complete record of the mural, and is in the Haunted Gallery at Hampton Court Palace

The first part of the Latin inscription on the plinth in the centre of the composition translates:-

“If it pleases you to see the illustrious images of
heroes, look on these:
No picture ever bore greater.

The great debate, competition and great question is
is whether father or son is the victor.
For both, indeed, were supreme”.

? ‘Henry VII, Elizabeth of York, Henry VIII and Jane Seymour’ – by Remigius Van Leemput.
Dated 1667

Haunted Gallery, Hampton Court Palace