Holbein's Henry VIII

Hans Holbein the Young (aka jr.) 's Portrait of Henry VII is arguably one of the most iconic and most well known portrait of Henry (see below left). Plot twist: the portraits we see today in full color are actually copies of the original that was lost in a fire. Plot twist #2: the original wasn't a portrait at all, but was a mural that included 3 other people, his wife Jane Seymour and his parents Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. Holbein, as the appointed kings painter, was commissioned to paint this mural of the family for Henry's privy chambers in the Palace of Whitehall. This was likely to of happened between 1536-1537, due to the fact that Jane and Henry were together at this time. As mentioned, this mural was lost in a fire caused by a maid doing laundry. Fortunately for our class and scholars alike, Charles II commissioned a copy of the mural with a Flemish painter named Remigius Van Leemput in 1667 (see below right). 

Copy of the Whitehall Mural, c.1667
Remigius Van Leemput, after Holbein

Portrait of Henry VII(copy), c.1536-1547
Artist Unknown

As you can tell, this copy influenced many future painters which can be seen in the many similar portraits of Henry that exist today. His stance is always the same and his royal garb is pretty consistent throughout the copies. We know today that vanity proportioning was applied in these portraits- are we surprised? In real life Henry's legs were much shorter in relation to his body (we know this because there are remaining pieces of his armor), and that, quite obviously, his shoulders weren't that broad-however, his royal garb did make him appear broader and more daunting. Notice that Henry clutches a sword in this left hand in all the portraits. This is thought to have been included to intimidate and show off his wealth. 

This is the one remaining Holbein of Henry that is believed to have been the warm up drawing of sorts for the painting of the Whitehall Mural. (below) 

Portrait of Henry VII, c.1536
Hans Holbein, the Younger

 Fun Fact: Some say that this famous depiction was used for means of propaganda during his rein-  a way to boost his ego while at the same time slipping in hidden anti-henry messages into the various portraits being copied of him. 

Sources: 

http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/holbeins-henry-viii.html

http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/henry8face2.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_of_Henry_VIII

http://www.pastscape.org/hob.aspx?hob_id=404943