Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Thomas Howard before Henry VII

I once saw a version of this painting at the National Gallery in Washington, DC when it was on tour with an exhibit about the art of the North of England. (Click on image to make larger.) The painting is by Mather Brown (1761-1831) and although the costumes are off by some two hundred years, it is an interesting commentary on English politics immediately following the Wars of the Roses. Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey, stands before Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. Queen Elizabeth holds a white rose in her hand as she listens with a bittersweet smile to Howard as he justifies his loyalty to Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field. Richard, of course, was Elizabeth's uncle. In spite of Henry's concerned expression, Howard was not executed that day and went on to become the 2nd Duke of Norfolk. Share

No comments: