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

This is a photograph of a drawing of Thomas Elyot by Hans Holbein. Although the photograph is undated, the original drawing would have been made in England, around the 1530s. Holbein was the court painter of Henry VIII, and this drawing would have been part of his preparatory work for a painting. It is useful to consider how the drawing would have functioned within the social context of the court. Holbein's drawings were not simply likenesses, but they also conveyed information about the sitter's status and character. Elyot was an important diplomat and scholar, and Holbein's portrait captures his intelligence and worldliness. As art historians, we can look at sources such as letters, diaries, and inventories to learn more about the social and institutional context in which this drawing was made. Only then can we fully understand its meaning and significance.