Henry made Holbein his official painter in 1536. The following year the portrait of the King was painted by which he has become known to posterity. The original was destroyed in a fire but copies show the enduring propaganda of Holbein’s vision of 16th C majesty.

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London too was to be riven by sectarianism, as a result of Henry VIII’s sociopathy. Holbein appears to have eschewed the newly de trop More for the arriviste Boleyn faction. Sir Thomas Elyot (c1532), Anne Boleyn (c1533), Thomas Cromwell (1533) & Robert Cheseman (1533)

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Holbein painted some of his first portraits at this time. These included the Meyers, Boniface Amerbach (1519) & Erasmus (1523). The latter sent copies of his portrait all over Europe (propaganda was Erasmus’ forte) & as a result Holbein became famous too. Dead Christ (1521)

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