Lucas Horenbout
Ghent, 1512. Lucas Horenbout stood before the Guild of Saint Luke to claim his master status. He had trained under his father Gerard, a leading figure in Netherlandish illuminated manuscript painting during its final phase. Gerard served as court painter to Margaret of Austria from 1515 until about 1522. Margaret was regent of the Netherlands and sister-in-law to Catherine of Aragon. This connection placed the Horenbout family at the center of European royal networks. Gerard is sometimes identified with the Master of James IV of Scotland, though no historical person can be attached to that name. The family operated within the Ghent-Bruges school of illumination. Richard Gay and T Kren documented their work in Illuminating the Renaissance: The Triumph of Flemish Manuscript Painting in Europe.
September 1525 marks the first recorded payment to Lucas by King Henry VIII as pictor maker. He arrived in England possibly as early as 1522 alongside his sister Susannah Hornebolt and father Gerard. Their move may have been connected to an attempt by Cardinal Wolsey or the King to revive English manuscript illumination through a London workshop. This theory remains controversial among historians. By 1529, Susanna was recorded as married to John Palmer and still living in England. Gerard appeared in English records for the first time in 1528 before returning to the Continent after 1531. He died in Ghent by 1540. Lucas himself settled permanently in London where he would remain until his death.
June 1534 brought confirmation of Horenbout's appointment as King's Painter for life. That same month he became a denizen, effectively naturalized citizen status. His annual salary reached sixty-two pounds and ten shillings according to Roy Strong, though Richard Gay claimed only thirty-three pounds and six shillings. Either amount represented a huge sum compared to Hans Holbein's thirty pounds per year during his tenure. The Crown granted him a tenement at Charing Cross and permission to employ four foreign journeyman. Lucas died in London and was buried at Saint Martin in the Fields leaving behind wife Margaret and daughter Jacquemine. Margaret later received payment of sixty shillings from Queen Catherine Parr three years after her husband's death for paintings she created.
The English school of portrait miniature painting began suddenly with Horenbout's arrival in England. Very few continental precedents existed for this new art form. Three lost miniatures possibly by Jean Clouet may have inspired the development when sent from France to the English court. Karel van Mander wrote in the early 17th century that Lucas taught illumination to Hans Holbein the Younger. Art historian John Rowlands downplays this influence believing Holbein followed techniques of Jean Clouet and the French school instead. Twenty-three surviving portrait miniatures attributed to Horenbout include portraits of members of English or other royal families. Paintings of at least four of Henry VIII's queens are credited to him. A high proportion of datable works come from the 1520s.
Horenbout's miniature of Holbein dated 1543 stands among his most accomplished works. He copied the face directly from a self-portrait drawing by Holbein though his own drawing skills were not particularly strong. Recent technical examination revealed the style differs significantly from undoubted Holbein miniatures. There is an absence of subtle gradations of flesh tone and color found in Holbein's work. No sign appears of extremely thin pen-like lines notable in Holbein's costume embroidery details. Two versions exist with one held by the Wallace Collection and another owned by the Duke of Buccleuch. The painting may serve as a memorial created during the six-month interval between Holbein's death and Horenbout's own passing.
Horenbout worked in panel paintings woodcuts and decorations for festivities though no certain survivals remain except illuminations on documents. Roy Strong linked him to an artist known only as the Master of the Cast Shadow Workshop. This master produced a series of rather undistinguished portraits mostly of English monarchs past and present presumably working for King Henry VIII. Illuminated decorations appear on charters Acts and similar royal documents attributed to Horenbout. An illuminated manuscript containing two elaborate full-page miniatures at Hatfield House has been credited to either Lucas or his sister Susanna. Fine illuminations in John Lydgate's works and Letters Patent for Cardinal College are attributed to Gerard Lucas or Susanna without specifying which individual created them.
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Common questions
When did Lucas Horenbout die and where was he buried?
Lucas Horenbout died in London and was buried at Saint Martin in the Fields. He remained in London until his death which occurred by 1540.
What year did King Henry VIII first pay Lucas Horenbout as pictor maker?
September 1525 marks the first recorded payment to Lucas Horenbout by King Henry VIII as pictor maker. He arrived in England possibly as early as 1522 alongside his sister Susannah Hornebolt and father Gerard.
How much annual salary did Lucas Horenbout receive as King's Painter for life?
His annual salary reached sixty-two pounds and ten shillings according to Roy Strong though Richard Gay claimed only thirty-three pounds and six shillings. The Crown granted him a tenement at Charing Cross and permission to employ four foreign journeyman.
Which of Henry VIII's queens were painted by Lucas Horenbout?
Paintings of at least four of Henry VIII's queens are credited to him. Twenty-three surviving portrait miniatures attributed to Horenbout include portraits of members of English or other royal families.
Did Lucas Horenbout teach Hans Holbein the Younger miniature painting techniques?
Karel van Mander wrote in the early 17th century that Lucas taught illumination to Hans Holbein the Younger. Art historian John Rowlands downplays this influence believing Holbein followed techniques of Jean Clouet and the French school instead.