The artwork “Portrait of Sir Thomas More,” created by Hans Holbein the Younger in 1527, is a remarkable work hailing from the period of the Northern Renaissance in Germany. Measuring 58.4 by 74.9 cm, this oil on panel painting elegantly captures the visage of its esteemed subject. The portrait is part of the collection housed at the National Portrait Gallery in London, UK, where it continues to be admired for its historical and artistic significance.
The artwork showcases Sir Thomas More dressed in the fashion of 16th-century English nobility, with great attention to detail on his attire and accessories. More is depicted against a deep green curtain, which provides a striking contrast to the rich, warm tones of his fur-lined garment and the gold of the chain he wears. His face is rendered with exacting detail, conveying a sense of gravitas and intellectual depth, characteristics one might associate with a man of More’s stature and influence. Holbein’s mastery of form and texture is particularly evident in the lifelike appearance of More’s skin and the meticulous rendering of the fur, fabric, and jewelry, all of which are hallmarks of the Northern Renaissance’s commitment to realism.
