Portrait of Richard III
Painting on panel • Unknown artist (Early Tudor School/English School); while based on a lost original, this version is closely associated with late 15th-century court prototypes
Style & Movement
Tudor/Late Gothic transition to Northern Renaissance
Medium & Technique
Oil and tempera on oak panel, employing glazing and detailed linear brushwork typical of early Tudor portraiture
Creation Period
Late 15th to early 16th century (circa 1510-1540)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 60 x 45 cm; portrait format
Subject Description
King Richard III shown in three-quarter profile against a red damask background. He is depicted wearing a black hat with a jeweled brooch, a gold collar set with pearls and rubies, and fiddling with a ring on his little finger—a gesture often interpreted as a sign of anxiety or a character-revealing detail added by Tudor-era artists.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Very Good; the panel appears stable with well-preserved pigments, though common craquelure is visible under magnification.
Estimated Market Value
$100,000 - $250,000
Auction Estimate
$80,000 - $150,000
Provenance History
Likely commissioned for a gallery of kings; historical records suggest several versions existed in the Royal Collection and aristocratic houses like the Paston or Howard families.
Art Historical Significance
A critical historical document of the last Yorkist king. These portraits served as part of the 'corridor of kings' tradition and were often used by Tudor monarchs to establish genealogical legitimacy through the inclusion of their predecessors.
Notable Features
The inscription 'RICARDVS III ANG REX' at the top and the specific damask pattern in the background are recurring features in the 'arch-top' group of Richard III portraits housed in the National Portrait Gallery and Society of Antiquaries.
Condition Issues
Fine surface craquelure, slight thinning of glazes in the darker pigments of the doublet, and minor retouching along the joins of the oak panel.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment with 50% humidity to prevent panel warping; UV-filtered lighting and professional monitoring for any signs of pigment flaking or woodworm.