The artwork named “Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey” was created by Hans Holbein the Younger around 1542 in Germany. This piece is an oil, panel, and tempera painting from the Northern Renaissance movement and is currently housed in the Museo de Arte de Sao Paulo (MASP) in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The portrait measures 42 by 53 centimeters.
The artwork depicts a seated figure, Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, clad in dark, somber clothing, exuding a sense of solemnity and nobility. Holbein’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in the finely rendered textures of the clothing and the subtle play of light and shadow on the subject’s face. The background is unadorned and muted, ensuring the focus remains on the subject’s composed and introspective expression. The use of tempera and oil on the panel allows for rich colors and intricate detailing, hallmarks of Holbein’s style and the broader Northern Renaissance tradition. The subject’s hands are elegantly posed, further contributing to the portrait’s dignified and refined atmosphere.
