Thomas Wilson (1525-1581) Secretary of State, diplomat and humanist; British Envoy to Portugal 1567-8

Flemish 16th century (after) unknown

Oil on canvas

17th century

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Image of Thomas Wilson (1525-1581) Secretary of State, diplomat and humanist; British Envoy to Portugal 1567-8
  • About the work
    Location
    Country: UK
    City: London
    Place: Government Art Collection
    This three-quarter length portrait of Thomas Wilson shows the sitter seated with a document in his right hand. He wears a black bonnet, a black doublet, neck and wrist ruffs and a fur-edged black surcoat. The artist of the original work is unknown, but it is thought to have been painted in the Low Countries during the sitter’s embassy of November 1574 to March 1575. This is a copy after an original painting which is now in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery. 
  • Explore
    People
    Thomas Wilson (1523/4 - 1581)
    Places
    Subjects
    paper (as Subject), male portrait, Flemish School, beard, moustache, man, 16th century costume, ring, ruff, fur, tudor cap, Secretary of State, Envoy to Portugal
    Materials & Techniques
    canvas, oil, oil painting
  • Details
    Artist
    Flemish 16th century (after) unknown
    Title
    Thomas Wilson (1525-1581) Secretary of State, diplomat and humanist; British Envoy to Portugal 1567-8
    Date
    17th century
    Medium
    Oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    height: 105.50 cm, width: 82.00 cm
    Acquisition
    Transferred from the National Portrait Gallery, July 1951
    Inscription
    none
    Provenance
    Collection of the British Museum; transferred to the National Portrait Gallery in 1879 (NPG 592); exchanged with orignal version (then in the collection of the Ministry of Works, now NPG 3799) in 1951 [Original version: Sold through Christie's, London, on 19 January 1951; from whom purchased by Leggatt Brothers; from whom purchased by Ministry of Works]
    GAC number
    1267