Lady Rich (Elizabeth Jenks, died 1558)

Lady Rich (Elizabeth Jenks, died 1558) by Hans Holbein the Younger is a sophisticated portrait executed in oil and gold on an oak panel, dating from approximately 1535 to 1545. This period places the work during Holbein’s tenure as King Henry VIII's Painter, a time when he redefined portraiture in Tudor England, blending Northern European precision with Italian Renaissance monumentality.

Younger was renowned for his detailed draughtsmanship and meticulous rendering of texture, a mastery fully demonstrated in Lady Rich’s elaborate attire and jewels. The subtle use of gold leaf enhances the shimmering quality of the embroidered fabric and the elaborate headdress, emphasizing the sitter’s high aristocratic status. Elizabeth Jenks was the wife of Sir Richard Rich, a powerful lawyer and subsequent Lord Chancellor. As was common among influential families, this commissioned painting served not only as a likeness but as a tangible representation of the family’s wealth and political standing at court.

The painting is a superb example among Renaissance portraits of women, showcasing the formal presentation required by the era’s strict social hierarchies while also hinting at individual character. The artist’s legacy as the premier portraitist of the English court rests on his ability to achieve this delicate balance between psychological insight and courtly decorum. This important painting is part of the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because this influential artwork is frequently cited in art history texts, high-quality prints and images are widely available through various public domain initiatives.