Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex
(circa 1485-1540), StatesmanSitter associated with 28 portraits
Cromwell rose to power as Cardinal Wolsey's right-hand man, later becoming principal secretary and chief minister to Henry VIII. He was a brilliant administrator and evangelical reformer, ruthlessly pursuing the dissolution of the monasteries. He was one of the architects of the king's break from the Roman Catholic Church, suggesting in 1520 that Henry become 'supreme head' of the Church of England in order to allow divorce proceedings against his first wife Katherine of Aragon. He later negotiated Henry's fourth marriage to Anne of Cleves, and was created Earl in 1540. However, the failure of the king's marriage and accusations of treason by his powerful enemies led to his execution.
Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex
after Hans Holbein the Younger
oil on panel, 16th century
NPG 1083
Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex
after Hans Holbein the Younger
oil on panel, early 17th century, based on a work of 1532-1533
On display in Room 1 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 1727
Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex
attributed to Hans Holbein the Younger
watercolour and bodycolour on vellum, circa 1532-1533
NPG 6310
Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex
studio of Hans Holbein the Younger
watercolour and bodycolour on vellum, circa 1537
NPG 6311
Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex
after Hans Holbein the Younger
oil on paper, (circa 1525-1550)
NPG D19228
Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex
after Hans Holbein the Younger
photographic print, (circa 1533-1534)
NPG D36562
'The pope suppressed by King Henry VIII'
after Unknown artist
woodcut, 1570
NPG D23436
'The pope suppressed by King Henry VIII'
after Unknown artist
woodcut, 1570
NPG D24931
King Henry VIII, Thomas Cranmer, Thomas Cromwell, John Fisher, Pope Clement VII
after Unknown artist
line engraving, possibly 17th century
NPG D24932
after Unknown artist
line engraving, probably 17th century
NPG D9467
Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex
possibly by Simon de Passe, after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, published 1620
NPG D19189
Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex
by Unknown artist, by Wenceslaus Hollar
etching, mid 17th century
NPG D9736
Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex
by John Fillian, printed and published by Peter Stent, after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, published 1653
NPG D21295
Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex
probably by Nicholas Pitaut II, after Adriaen van der Werff
line engraving, possibly late 17th century
NPG D24209
after Unknown artist
woodcut, published 1684
NPG D23930
Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex
possibly by I. Absolam, after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, possibly 18th century
NPG D24211
Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex
after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, possibly 18th century
NPG D24212
Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex
after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, possibly 18th century
NPG D24213
Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex
by Jacobus Houbraken, after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, published 1739
NPG D24208
Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex
by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Hans Holbein the Younger
line engraving, published 1739
NPG D36566
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