Christina of Denmark, Duchess of Milan

Hans Holbein the Younger (circa 1497 - 1543)

National Gallery

circa 1538

In May 1909 the Art Fund launched the most difficult appeal of its early history. It needed to raise the total cost of this painting in less than a month. The painting has been commissioned by Henry VIII, who considered making the 16 year old Duchess his fourth wife. The work was placed on loan to The National Gallery in 1880 – where it remained on public view for nearly 30 years. When the Duke of Norfolk announced his intention to sell, American and German investors were keen to buy it. The painting was saved at the eleventh hour by a private donation of £40,000 through the Art Fund, offered by an anonymous English woman on condition that her name was never revealed.

• Medium: oil on oak
• Dimensions: 182 x 83 cm
• Art Fund Grant: £72000 ( Total: £72,000)
• ArtFunded in: 1909
• Vendor: Colnaghi

Provenance

Henry VIII, Lumley, Pembroke, Arundel; Dukes of Norfolk.

Add your comments about this artwork Hide this form

Have your say