The Curators: Hans Holbein and the court of Henry VIII

These drawings and paintings of William Reskimer and Sir Henry Guildford form part of Hans Holbein the Younger's extraordinary series of portraits which bring to life the court of Henry VIII. Of the many portrait drawings Holbein made, only eleven corresponding paintings survive, of which Guildford and Reskimer are two.

This provides a fascinating opportunity to look at the drawings and paintings together, offering insight into the creative mind of Holbein and the process of developing a portrait.

Guildford was a close friend of Henry VIII, and almost continuously held important positions at court. The drawing was made during Holbein's first visit to England in 1527. The artist focuses on the soft contours of his face, smudging the chalk to convey the texture of flesh. He delights in depicting the luxurious textures of fur, velvet and gold cloth, accentuating Guildford’s status.

These comparisons emphasise the original function of the drawings. Although now considered artworks in their own right, they were intended as preparatory studies, giving Holbein an opportunity to record important details that he would later develop in paint in his studio.

The drawings also served a technical purpose, highlighted by evidence of indentation in the drawing of Reskimer. This suggests that Holbein traced the outlines of the drawing onto panel using a fine point and explains the close similarity with the painting.

In 1627-8, Charles I exchanged his book of 80 Holbein drawings with the Earl of Pembroke, for a painting of St George and the Dragon by Raphael. The 'great booke' was subsequently recorded in the collection of Charles II in 1675, although it is not certain when or how he acquired it.