William Roper (1493/94–1578)

William Roper (1493/94–1578) by Hans Holbein the Younger, dating from 1535-1536, is an exquisite example of Tudor-era portraiture. Unlike the grand oil works often associated with court artists, this particular portrait is executed in a meticulous, small-scale format using watercolor and chalk on vellum laid on card. This medium lends the finished piece a refined luminosity and precision characteristic of Younger's preparatory head studies, although this appears to be a finished work intended for private ownership or as a primary record of the sitter. The intimate focus on the subject's face and the subtle, detailed shading demonstrates the artist’s unparalleled skill in capturing individual character with clinical realism.

The subject, William Roper, was a prominent lawyer and Member of Parliament best known as the devoted husband of Margaret More and the biographer and son-in-law of Sir Thomas More. Created shortly after More’s execution for refusing the Oath of Supremacy, the portrait captures a man navigating the dangerous political landscape of Henry VIII’s court. The work’s restrained depiction reflects the necessary gravity and cautious demeanor of powerful men during this period of religious and political upheaval. The Younger's technique here exemplifies why he was universally sought after for capturing the likenesses of the most significant figures in England. This historic work, a celebrated portrait residing in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is frequently studied for its historical and artistic merit. Its status within the public domain allows for widespread dissemination, ensuring that high-resolution images and prints of William Roper (1493/94–1578) are readily available globally for academic research.