Fotoreproductie van een portret van Thomas More door Hans Holbein before 1877

Here's a photograph of a drawing after Hans Holbein's portrait of Thomas More. The image, held in the Rijksmuseum, offers us a glimpse into the world of Tudor England and the complex relationship between art, politics, and power. Holbein's original portrait would have served as a carefully constructed image of More, a prominent figure in the court of Henry VIII. But this photograph, made long after More's death, speaks to the enduring fascination with his story. More was a lawyer, social philosopher, author, statesman and devout Catholic who was later executed for refusing to accept Henry VIII as Supreme Head of the Church of England. The image of More then, takes on new levels of meaning in light of the institutional conflict between church and state. To understand the power of this image, we might explore archival sources, political documents, and religious texts. These resources can shed light on the social conditions that shaped not only More's life but also the afterlife of his image. Art like this always gains its power through a constant negotiation with its social and institutional context.