Jane Seymour: New Acquisition


Small display at the National Portrait Gallery to mark the recent acquisition of a portrait by the Holbein workshop of Jane Seymour.

The quality of this work suggests it was for a high status client but it seems to be unfinished with the underdrawing showing and the sleeves yet to be filled in. It tells us a lot about the workshop’s process showing that the dress and jewelry seems to be the last thing to be done, maybe in case fashion changes while it’s being painted? Was the workshop waiting to be lent the jewelry to paint? I also suspect it shows that a different artists were brought in as an experts on painting textiles and jewels.

Review
Guardian


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