Small wonders with big stories

At Nostell you can see a remarkable group portrait - both for what it shows and its significance in the history of art in England.

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The 16th century painting depicts three generations of the family of Sir Thomas More (1478-1535), Lord Chancellor to Henry VIII, who was executed for treason for refusing to support the king as head of the Church of England, and for not recognising the annulment of Henry’s first marriage. It’s a copy or version of a painting from 1527 by Hans Holbein the Younger (1497/8-1543), the most important artist working in England during the 1500s.

Nostell’s copy is traditionally associated with English artist Rowland Lockey (c.1565-1616) and might have been painted for More’s family, as a way of remembering their history and healing the wounds of More’s death and disgrace. It came to Nostell in 1742 through a descendant of More and remains a rare and valuable link to Holbein’s original, which was destroyed by fire in 1752.

Signed, sealed, executed

Beningbrough, near York