The First Son To Live

This portrait depicts Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of Henry VIII and his mistress Bessie Blount. The portrait was painted between 1533-34; Henry would die approximately three years after (if the portrait was painted in 1533). Henry would have been 14-15 years old when the portrait was painted. The portrait is painted with water-colours by Lucas Horenbout - the portrait itself is quite small measuring just about 44 millimetres in diameter. It belongs to the Royal Collection of the British royal family and has done ever since it was bought by none other than Queen Victoria.