This article was originally published in English
While scrolling through X, an art historian noticed something intriguingly real in the background of a photo…
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A famous portrait of the King Henry VIIIhusband of Catherine of Aragonlong lost, has been rediscovered after an art historian found it in thewave of a published photo on social media.
The painting was part of a set of 22 portraits commissioned in the 1590s by the British tapestry maker Ralph Sheldon. It initially hung at Weston House, Sheldon’s home in Warwickshire, but today only A few paintings from the collection are preserved.
The art historian Adam Busiakiewiczadvisor to the auction house Sotheby’sunexpectedly noticed the painting in the background of a photo published by the Warwickshire Tenancy in X on July 4.
The Photo It shows a reception at the Shire Hall in Warwick, just 14 miles (22.5 kilometres) from where the painting originally hung at Weston House.
In a thread posted on X, Busiakiewicz describes the unique feature of the paintings from Sheldon’s set, which have “the rounded top,” which initially caught his attention. After inspect the photoBusiakiewicz, born in Warwick and living in London, informed local authorities of his suspicions about the painting’s provenance.
The Council of the Warwickshire County then invited him to inspect the workwhich represents the king – known for his six wives and his legendary appetite– wearing a feathered hat and elaborate gold chains, holding a sword.
Warwickshire County Council said that following the discovery, the artwork was moved to its Museum Collections Centre for further storage. investigation.
Although some of the set of 22 paintings are currently on display at the National Portrait Gallery in London, Eton College and Knebworth House, many others remain missing.
Currently under investigation How the portrait of Henry VIII ended up a Shire Hall.
