Attributed to Meynnart Wewyck, Henry VIII, About 1509. Oil paint on wood panel, housed in its original frame; 15 × 9 3/4 in. (38 × 24.8 cm). Gift of the Berger Collection Educational Trust, 2021.29

image height: 15 in, 38.1000 cm; image width: 9 3/4 in, 24.7650 cm; frame height: 21 in, 53.3400 cm; frame width: 16 5/8 in, 42.2275 cm; frame depth: 3 3/4 in, 9.525 cm

European and American Art Before 1900

European Painting and Sculpture before 1900

This object is currently on view

This portrait of a slender, beardless Henry, painted when the young king was about eighteen years old, is the earliest known depiction of him as king (he ruled from 1509 to 1547). Henry’s rejection of the Roman Catholic Church and establishment of a state religion with himself as supreme leader are unparalleled in historical and social impact by any actions of his successors. 

Possibly the Knevet family, Old Buckenham, Norfolk; from whom acquired by Mr. Day; from whom bought by Kerrich, August 7, 1790; the Lords Gwydir; by descent to the Earls of Ancaster; with Spinks, London, 1926; with Arthur U. Newton, New York, 1931; from whom acquired by George Kemp, 1st Baron Rochdale (died 1945), Beechwood Hall, Rochdale, Lancashire; by descent; Rochdale sale, Sotheby’s, London, July 10, 1996, lot 9; from which acquired by William M. B. Berger and Bernadette Johnson Berger, Denver; Berger Collection Educational Trust; gifted to the Denver Art Museum, 2021. Provenance research is on-going at the Denver Art Museum and we will post information as it becomes available. Please e-mail provenance@denverartmuseum.org, if you have questions, or if you have additional information to share with us.

• “Treasures from the Berger Collection: British Paintings 1400-2000” — Denver Art Museum, 10/2/2014 – 9/9/2018