Portrait of Jane Seymour (1509?-1537)

The Portrait of Jane Seymour (1509?-1537) is a significant example of Tudor court representation, executed circa 1540 by the studio of Hans Holbein the Younger (Augsburg 1497/1498 - 1543 London). Painted in oil on panel, this work follows the standard iconography established by Holbein for Jane Seymour, the third queen of Henry VIII and mother of the future King Edward VI. Although created after Jane Seymour’s death in 1537, the painting served to perpetuate her image as the successful Queen Consort who secured the succession.

The sitter is presented in a formal, imposing style, consistent with the official royal portraits commissioned during the period. Younger’s influence is unmistakable in the meticulous rendering of the textiles, particularly the jewels and rich embroidery adorning her velvet gown. Jane Seymour wears a typical English square-cut neckline and the distinctive French hood, details which convey her status and the conservative fashion of the time. The precision of the draughtsmanship and the use of a simple background underscore the regal formality of the subject, focusing the viewer’s attention solely on the Queen’s likeness and lavish attire.

As a product of Holbein's busy studio, this version illustrates how successful iconographies were copied and circulated to create a visual propaganda campaign for the monarch and his family across Europe. This historic painting currently resides in the esteemed collection of the Mauritshuis. Due to the artwork’s age and art historical importance, reproductions are widely available. Art enthusiasts frequently access digital versions, as high-quality prints of such historically important paintings often enter the public domain, making this era of English Renaissance painting accessible for scholarly study.