ANTHONISZ, Cornelis
(b. ca. 1499, Amsterdam, d. ca. 1555, Amsterdam)

Henry VIII of England on Horseback

c. 1538
Hand-coloured woodcut, 403 x 295 mm
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Anthonisz painted this portrait of Henry VIII on horseback after the king had had his hair and beard cut short in 1535. The coat of arms and inscriptions make it quite clear whose portrait this is. 'Dieu et mon droit' is the motto of the British royal family. This woodcut was made in Amsterdam, but published in Antwerp by Hans Liefrinck. The colouring was added with great care. This was probably Liefrinck's first issue of the series of royal portraits by Anthonisz.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 5 minutes):
Camille Saint-Saens: Hénri VIII, Scene and Henry's aria