A rare Tudor portrait of the fourth Duke of Norfolk, kept for centuries in a private collection, will be offered at auction with an estimate of up to 3 million pounds.
Why is the Tudor portrait of the Duke of Norfolk so rare?
The painting, created in 1562 by Hans Eworth, depicts Thomas Howard, fourth Duke of Norfolk, born in Kenninghall in the 1530s. The work, which is nearly 500 years old, is considered one of the finest Tudor portraits still in private hands.
For many years, the painting was loaned to Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, a historic residence linked to the Rothschild family. However, the owning family has now decided to sell it, and the portrait will be offered at auction in London on Wednesday.
What is the estimated value and what does Sotheby’s say?
The work will be presented by Sotheby’s with an estimate between 2 and 3 million pounds. According to Julian Gascoigne, senior director of the Old Masters department at the auction house, the painting is “spectacularly well-preserved.”
Gascoigne emphasized how the painting’s surface shows “extraordinary conditions, with minimal, if any, retouching or damage.” For a painting nearing half a millennium in age, he noted, this level of preservation is “truly impressive,” and directly contributes to its value on the international market.
What role did Thomas Howard play in Tudor history?
During the reign of Elizabeth I, the fourth Duke of Norfolk was considered the most powerful man in the kingdom after the queen herself. He amassed vast estates throughout England, consolidating the power of the Howard family.
After the death of his third wife, the duke attempted to marry Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. However, this plan involved him in the Ridolfi plot, a conspiracy to assassinate Elizabeth I. Arrested and imprisoned, he was eventually executed, marking one of the most spectacular falls of the Tudor aristocracy.
What is the collecting history of the painting?
The portrait is believed to have been purchased by the first Lord Rothschild and remained in the family collection since the 19th century. It was only later loaned to Waddesdon Manor, a museum-like residence known for its collections of decorative arts and ancient paintings.
Today, Waddesdon Manor is managed by the National Trust in collaboration with the Rothschild family, and continues to host important loans and permanent collections. The painting’s departure from private ownership thus marks a significant transition for studies on Tudor portraiture.
What is the relationship between the painting and the portrait of Margaret Audley?
The painting of Thomas Howard was originally part of a pair. A second portrait depicted his then-wife, Margaret Audley, Duchess of Norfolk. The two backgrounds, when placed side by side, form a single decorative fabric, creating a joint composition.
This iconographic solution, Gascoigne explained, makes the project “completely unique” in the landscape of 16th-century British art. Moreover, the second portrait is not intended for sale, making the arrival of the duke’s image on the market even more significant.
Why do many consider it the most important Tudor portrait in private hands?
According to Gascoigne, the combination of historical factors, pictorial quality, and state of preservation leads to considering the work “one of, if not the most important, Tudor portraits” remaining in private collection. The ideal union with the portrait of Margaret Audley further enhances its interest.
Furthermore, the political centrality of Thomas Howard during the time of Elizabeth I makes the painting a key visual testimony of noble power in the 16th century. In contrast to many court portraits now in public museums, this example rarely comes to market, reinforcing its aura of exceptionality.
What are the territorial ties of the Howard family?
The main seat of the Howard family is Arundel Castle in West Sussex, still a landmark for the ducal house today. The house also maintains historical ties with the county of Norfolk, including the locality of Castle Rising.
These territorial connections, combined with the duke’s political role, make the portrait a valuable document for English noble history as well. For collectors and scholars, it represents a rare synthesis of personal biography, court intrigues, and self-representation of power.
What is expected from the London auction?
The estimate between 2 and 3 million pounds reflects, according to Sotheby’s, the historical, artistic, and collecting importance of the painting. In a market where Tudor portraits of this quality appear very rarely, international interest is taken for granted.
Gascoigne expressed the hope that the painting ends up “in a place where it can be adequately cared for and preserved in the right conditions.” In this sense, the outcome of the auction could determine future public access to one of the most significant portraits of 16th-century England.
As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
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