Lot 1016 Dα

Alice Middleton was the second wife of the English state philosopher Thomas More. Until the first half of the twentieth century the present painting was considered a work by Holbein. In his catalogue raisonné Paul Ganz still considers it an oil study for the large family portrait (275 x 360 cm) which Holbein painted for More's country estate in Chelsea in 1528. This painting was apparenly destroyed when Kremsier Palace burned down in 1752. It is nonetheless known to us through a copy by Rowland Lockey at Nostell Priory, Yorkshire. Today it is agreed the present painting is not from the hand of Holbein. Rather, it is a portrait of Alice More made after the destroyed family portrait. She wears the same garments and jewellery, it is also a half-profile towards left and likewise she holds an open book in her hands.
There is a drawing by Holbein for this family portrait in the Kunstmuseum, Basel, with handwritten notes about those portrayed. Behind Alice, who sits full-figure at right, a burning candle was originally planned but then substituted by a bouquet of flowers. Different from Holbein's design, our painting shows a neutral blue background and Alice Middleton with a downcast expression. It is possible that this work was ordered by relatives as a lasting memory.