Christina of Denmark, Duchess of Milan
1538 · Oil on oak · National Gallery, London
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About this work
- Artist
- Hans Holbein the Younger (1497–1543)
- Year
- 1538
- Medium
- Oil on oak
- Original size
- 179.1 × 82.6 cm
- Collection
- National Gallery, London
- Movement
- Northern Renaissance
Christina of Denmark, aged sixteen and already a widow, stands full-length in black mourning dress and fur-lined coat against a plain blue-green ground, her hands folded and gloves held loosely, a faint smile on her face. After the death of Queen Jane Seymour in 1537, Thomas Cromwell sent Holbein to Brussels to portray possible brides for Henry VIII. Christina, widow of Francesco II Sforza, Duke of Milan, who had died in 1535 when she was thirteen, sat for him on 12 March 1538 for three hours; the king was so pleased with the head study that he had Holbein extend it to this full-length panel. The marriage never took place: Christina was opposed, and is reported to have said that if she had two heads, one would be at the King of England's disposal. Henry kept the portrait until his death. It was acquired by the National Gallery, London, in 1909.
This exhibition-poster edition shows the whole work beneath original typography set in-house. The original is in the public domain.
Where it works
A young widow standing full-length in black against a cool teal ground, tall, narrow and quiet, for a hallway, landing or bedroom at 16×24 in black. A teal, warm white or soft grey wall; it pairs with Madame X (Madame Pierre Gautreau).
Style, size & framing detail
- Style
- Exhibition poster of a Northern Renaissance painting
- Era
- 16th century (1538)
- Orientation
- Portrait
- Palette
- cream & beige
- Mood
- intimate
- Rooms
- bedroom, hallway or entryway, living room, dining room, dorm room
- Good gift for
- housewarming, art lovers
Size. We'd hang this one at 16×24. Prints at 12×18, 16×24, 24×36 in — 12×18 for a shelf, desk or a gallery-wall grid; 16×24 above a desk, console or in a hallway; 24×36 as the statement piece above a sofa or bed.
Framing. Exhibition posters sit best in a slim black frame with no mat — the typeset margin is the mat.
Pairing. Pairs as a set of three with other famous painting prints (10% off three or more).
Details & materials
Shipping & returns
Is this the whole painting, or a crop?
Is Christina of Denmark, Duchess of Milan in the public domain?
What is it printed on?
When was Christina of Denmark, Duchess of Milan painted, and in what medium?
What size works above a sofa or bed?
About this design
The Madten promise
A fine-art print
The same artwork as a clean fine-art print — the image shown large with a minimal caption.
