Thomas More. Sir Thomas More, venerated in the Catholic Church as Saint Thomas More, was an English lawyer, social philosopher, author, statesman, and noted Renaissance humanist.
The Frick Collection holds Hans Holbein's portrait of Thomas More in three-quarter view, looking directly at the viewer with a calm and steady gaze. He is dressed in rich, dark clothing, including a fur-trimmed robe, which signifies his high social status.
More's right hand holds a piece of paper, possibly symbolizing his literary and legal accomplishments, while his left hand is tucked into his robe. The background is a neutral dark color, drawing focus to More's face and the intricate details of his clothing.
The overall impression is one of intelligence, dignity, and quiet authority. The National Portrait Gallery in London holds the Roland Lockey portrait, believed to be a copy of a lost original by Hans Holbein the Younger.
In this painting, Thomas More is seated at a table, surrounded by his family. He is shown in profile, wearing a red cap and a dark robe. His right hand rests on an open book, emphasizing his scholarly nature. The background is a detailed interior, with a window looking out onto a landscape. This portrait presents More as a patriarch and a man of learning, surrounded by his loving family. More was also a Chancellor to Henry VIII, and Lord High Chancellor of England from October 1529 to 16 May