3 ms·

I don't think Sheldon made these portraits? They were commissioned as mentioned in other comments.

jaaaack 2y ago
"The artist of the series remains unknown, although his distinct hand is recognised by the title of 'The Sheldon Master'." Corroborated by the original blog post. Odd that the article isn't clear on this point. https://historicalportraits.com/artworks/82-the-sheldon-master-portrait-of-king-edward-vi-1537-53-c.-1590/ https://historicalportraits.com/artworks/82-the-sheldon-mast... https://adamfineart.wordpress.com/2024/07/04/ralph-sheldons-portrait-of-henry-viii-reidentified/ https://adamfineart.wordpress.com/2024/07/04/ralph-sheldons-...
xeromal 2y ago
Got you. I was just confused as to why a guy would commission paintings of a king for his own use but I didn't live in that era so maybe it was in vogue.
- qingcharles 2y ago
  It's patriotic to have a picture of your royals in your home. You'd find pictures of The Royal Family in British homes, not so much now, but certainly photos of say Diana were fairly common in the 80s.
  - xeromal 2y ago
    That makes sense. I don't think it's really popular here in the United States to have a president on your wall but I have seen pictures of them in restaurants especially if they frequented the establishment. It makes me curious about this specific example if the painter copied another painting of the king or he managed to somehow get time with the king in order to know what he looks like for the commission.
    - WD-42 2y ago
      The British never really shed their love for royalty. Just one of the things us yanks like to “take the piss” from then on. Seems silly to us.
      - Ekaros 2y ago
        They are celebrities in sense, with at least publicly higher standards("presentable")...
        lupusreal 2y ago
        Yeah but only weirdos have pictures of celebrities hung up in their house.
        qingcharles 2y ago
        Plenty of teens' bedroom walls would disagree...
        lupusreal 2y ago
        If an adult does that, it's considered rather sad.
    - iamacyborg 2y ago
      You guys fly flags everywhere instead.
    - krisoft 2y ago
      > or he managed to somehow get time with the king in order to know what he looks like for the commission. That is unlikely for all kind of reasons. Chiefly among them that when the painting was painted the King was long dead. The painting is dated to around 1590 while Henry VIII died in 1547.
    - sofixa 2y ago
      > I don't think it's really popular here in the United States to have a president on your wall In exchange there are flags and political posters and signs on lawns, and religious representations in some religious households.
- pwagland 2y ago
  it is also done these days as well. Look at political and/or musical t-shirts, albeit they are cheaper. However, I have seen some, IMO, pretty crazy dedications. Just as an example: https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fuploads-ssl.webflow.com%2F5b0f1c2b558807210a5e423a%2F5e923c6e333832df023af8e4_2-IMG_5530.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=bf6923d7ff4c3493e59caf784beb8ee95ee90ecedfed21143daf5a2908b41d76&ipo=images https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2F... I'm sure that you can find similar for other famous politicians.

"The artist of the series remains unknown, although his distinct hand is recognised by the title of 'The Sheldon Master'." Corroborated by the original blog post. Odd that the article isn't clear on this point. https://historicalportraits.com/artworks/82-the-sheldon-master-portrait-of-king-edward-vi-1537-53-c.-1590/ https://historicalportraits.com/artworks/82-the-sheldon-mast... https://adamfineart.wordpress.com/2024/07/04/ralph-sheldons-portrait-of-henry-viii-reidentified/ https://adamfineart.wordpress.com/2024/07/04/ralph-sheldons-...

xeromal 2y ago

Got you. I was just confused as to why a guy would commission paintings of a king for his own use but I didn't live in that era so maybe it was in vogue.

qingcharles 2y ago
It's patriotic to have a picture of your royals in your home. You'd find pictures of The Royal Family in British homes, not so much now, but certainly photos of say Diana were fairly common in the 80s.
- xeromal 2y ago
  That makes sense. I don't think it's really popular here in the United States to have a president on your wall but I have seen pictures of them in restaurants especially if they frequented the establishment. It makes me curious about this specific example if the painter copied another painting of the king or he managed to somehow get time with the king in order to know what he looks like for the commission.
  - WD-42 2y ago
    The British never really shed their love for royalty. Just one of the things us yanks like to “take the piss” from then on. Seems silly to us.
    - Ekaros 2y ago
      They are celebrities in sense, with at least publicly higher standards("presentable")...
      - lupusreal 2y ago
        Yeah but only weirdos have pictures of celebrities hung up in their house.
        qingcharles 2y ago
        Plenty of teens' bedroom walls would disagree...
        lupusreal 2y ago
        If an adult does that, it's considered rather sad.
  - iamacyborg 2y ago
    You guys fly flags everywhere instead.
  - krisoft 2y ago
    > or he managed to somehow get time with the king in order to know what he looks like for the commission. That is unlikely for all kind of reasons. Chiefly among them that when the painting was painted the King was long dead. The painting is dated to around 1590 while Henry VIII died in 1547.
  - sofixa 2y ago
    > I don't think it's really popular here in the United States to have a president on your wall In exchange there are flags and political posters and signs on lawns, and religious representations in some religious households.
pwagland 2y ago
it is also done these days as well. Look at political and/or musical t-shirts, albeit they are cheaper. However, I have seen some, IMO, pretty crazy dedications. Just as an example: https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fuploads-ssl.webflow.com%2F5b0f1c2b558807210a5e423a%2F5e923c6e333832df023af8e4_2-IMG_5530.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=bf6923d7ff4c3493e59caf784beb8ee95ee90ecedfed21143daf5a2908b41d76&ipo=images https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2F... I'm sure that you can find similar for other famous politicians.