Lost Henry VIII Portrait Has Been Found On X (Formerly Twitter)
Photo 42669728 © Murdock2013 | Dreamstime.com
Scrolling through social media can lead to more than just Brat memes. For art historian Adam Busiakiewicz, a lucky look through X, formerly Twitter, has unearthed a long-lost portrait of King Henry VIII, hidden in plain sight. This serendipitous discovery has shed light on a valuable piece of England’s artistic heritage.
The portrait, dating back to the 1590s, was spotted hanging quietly in a council hall in the West Midlands. Busiakiewicz, a consultant for Sotheby’s, recognized the striking likeness of the iconic monarch in an image captured during a reception at the Shire Hall in Warwick. Without hesitation, he confirmed its authenticity, identifying it as part of a collection originally commissioned by tapestry maker Ralph Sheldon. This collection, consisting of 22 portraits, had mostly eluded historians until now.
I’ve written a blog dedicated to an overlooked Tudor portrait of King Henry VIII which was once part of Ralph Sheldon’s famous set at Weston House. Completed in the 1590s, this painting at Warwick Shire Hall (@Warwickshire_CC) should be better known! https://t.co/v5XP7UQZcS pic.twitter.com/7RoNKhM8ql
— Adam Busiakiewicz (@Adam_FineArt) July 7, 2024
Warwickshire County Council quickly responded to the discovery, relocating the artwork to its Museum Collections Centre for further examination. Although the portrait’s exact value remains unknown, other pieces from Sheldon’s collection have sold for around £200,000 (US$256,800), hinting at its significant worth.
Historian Aaron Manning, who worked alongside Busiakiewicz, highlighted the importance of this find for Warwick’s storied history. This rediscovered portrait is a significant addition to the understanding of Tudor-era art and heritage.
The art history-loving world awaits the day when this remarkable image graces public display.
This includes the identification of the painting’s original inscription, now covered with overpaint, which is another characteristic of the Sheldon set. pic.twitter.com/v8GQ3wSqVg
— Adam Busiakiewicz (@Adam_FineArt) July 23, 2024
[via BBC, The Independent, Artnet News, CNN, images via various sources]
