Thomas Wriothesley (1505–1550), First Earl of Southampton

Thomas Wriothesley (1505–1550), First Earl of Southampton by Hans Holbein the Younger, created between 1530 and 1540, captures a powerful figure in the tumultuous court of King Henry VIII. Younger, the preeminent painter of the Tudor era, executed this sophisticated portrait on vellum laid on card. This choice of medium suggests the piece may have functioned as a highly finished preliminary study intended for transfer to a larger panel, or perhaps as a self-contained, formal miniature documenting Wriothesley's status.

The work exemplifies Holbein’s masterful precision in rendering the countenances of elite men. He employs an unflinching realism to portray the subject, focusing intensely on Wriothesley's sharp features and the rich textural details of his clothing. As a key administrator who later served as Lord Chancellor, Wriothesley’s patronage reflects the visual standards of the era, demanding objective portraiture that conveyed power and social position rather than idealized flattery. This style of direct, detailed portraiture defines Holbein’s output during his final decade in England.

This exceptional piece of sixteenth-century English art resides in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of the fragility and historical importance of the original vellum support, access to the physical work is restricted, but the renown of Younger’s studies ensures that high-quality prints and digital reproductions are routinely utilized for research and educational purposes. Like many masterworks held in major institutional archives, the imagery associated with this famous portrait of a Tudor nobleman often falls into the public domain, allowing its influence to reach a global audience.