Hans Holbein the Younger’s “Portrait of Edward VI as a Child” (1538) gave the 16th-century world a first look at Henry VIII’s only male heir and the future king of England. Although generally unknown today, the child did become king, but only for a short six years. His reign was overshadowed by the contest between his half-sisters, Mary and Bess, and the long reign of the victor, Elizabeth I.
After the execution of Ann Boleyn, Henry married Jane Seymour, who gave birth on Oct. 12, 1537 to the king’s only son, Edward, the child portrayed in Holbein’s painting. It was said that Henry loved and honored his modest queen above all the rest, and she was the only one of all his wives who received a queen’s funeral when she died only 12 days after the child’s birth.
As court painter of the Tudor dynasty, Holbein had access to the personal lives of courtiers and royals. Using his strong technical skill at portraiture, Holbein had the ability to see his subject’s inner self, even a baby, in a way no one had been able to do. It was a feat in itself for a painter to get the likeness of a child of about 14 months, barely a year old. Most babies at that age would be squirming and wiggling constantly, moving for the joy of it and sometimes testing what their arms, legs, hands, and feet could do. This baby was surely no different.
Like any good portrait artist, Holbein certainly must have done some preliminary drawings, although none exist today. He probably observed the child at all times and places that the artist had access to, where he could sketch the child’s features and ways of moving.
A Baby Like No Other
The artist also had to please his patron, the king of England, so the portrait had to display an impressive presence that foreshadowed the child’s destiny. This boy had to be portrayed with a royal reserve and kingly grace, as impossible as this might seem.
At the bottom of the painting Holbein scripted a Latin verse by poet Richard Morison: “Little one, emulate thy father and be the heir of his virtue; the world contains nothing greater. Heaven and earth could scarcely produce a son whose glory would surpass that of such a father. Do thou but equal the deeds of thy parent and men can ask no more. Shouldst thou surpass him, thou has outstript all, nor shall any surpass thee in ages to come. By Sir Richard Morison.”
Edward VI became king when he was 9, though a regency council actually ruled. Although healthy most of his life, the youth fell ill in 1553, passed away, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. The baby that Holbein portrayed did become king, but, oh, for so short a reign.
