Edward VI (1537–1553), When Duke of Cornwall

Edward VI (1537–1553), When Duke of Cornwall by Hans Holbein the Younger, executed between 1540 and 1547, stands as a critical example of Tudor court portraiture. The painting, rendered in oil and gold on oak, depicts the future monarch during his infancy and youth, a period when he held the titles Duke of Cornwall and Prince of Wales. As the highly anticipated male heir to King Henry VIII, Edward's image was politically vital, and Holbein, serving as the official King’s Painter, was commissioned to create an authoritative likeness that secured the visual legacy of the burgeoning Tudor dynasty.

This portrait of the young man is notable for its use of a precise profile view, a convention often associated with Roman emperors on coins and medals, thereby emphasizing the sitter’s inherent royal authority. Younger employed meticulous Northern Renaissance techniques, combining sharp linear detail with rich textures. The application of gold pigment highlights elements of Edward’s regal attire, including the embroidery on his cap and the jeweled elements of his garments. This attention to luxurious detail, alongside the focused, individualized profile, projects an image of seriousness and maturity far beyond the sitter's actual age.

Younger’s portraits of men defined the aesthetic standard for the English court during the mid-sixteenth century. The work is recognized as one of the last major commissions completed by Holbein before his death. Today, this masterpiece is a vital component of the permanent collection housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Though protected in the museum’s care, high-quality images and prints of this historical subject are widely accessible through public domain collections.