Henry VIII (1509). Henry VIII was King of England from 1509 until his death in 1547. Portraits often reflect his power and authority as king, showing him in elaborate clothing with regal symbols. Some artworks depict his role as a patron of the arts and learning. A smaller number of paintings depict Henry with his wives and children. However, due to the tumultuous nature of his marriages, these are less common. Early portraits sometimes depict him as a defender of the Catholic Church. Later works, after the English Reformation, might downplay religious iconography. As Henry aged, his health declined, and some portraits reflect this. These might show him heavier, with a more weathered appearance. In some cases, Henry VIII might be depicted symbolically, using his image to represent broader ideas like power, vanity, or the Tudor Dynasty. He was known for his larger-than-life personality, his tumultuous marriages, and his significant impact on the political and religious landscape of England. One of the most famous portraits of Henry VIII is the so-called Holbein portrait, painted by the German artist Hans Holbein the Younger in 1537. This portrait depicts Henry VIII in a powerful and imposing pose, with his legs spread apart and his hands on his hips. He wears a richly decorated suit of armor and a fur-lined cloak, and his gaze is direct and intense. The portrait is notable for its remarkable level of detail and its lifelike quality, which has led some art historians to suggest that Holbein may have used a tracing or other mechanical means to create the image. Another famous portrait of Henry VIII is the so-called Whitehall portrait, painted by an unknown artist around 1537. This portrait depicts Henry VIII in a more regal and ceremonial pose, seated on a throne and wearing a richly decorated robe of state. He holds a scepter in one hand and a large orb in the other, symbolizing his power and authority as king. The portrait is notable for its use of bright, bold colors and its elaborate decorative details, which reflect the opulence and grandeur of the Tudor court. Other notable portraits of Henry VIII include the King's Presence Chamber portrait, painted by an unknown artist around 1545, which depicts Henry VIII in a more contemplative and introspective pose, and the NPG portrait, painted by an unknown artist around 1540, which depicts Henry VIII in a more dynamic and energetic pose, with his sword drawn and his cloak billowing behind him. He was the second Tudor monarch, succeeding his father Henry VII. Henry is best known for his six marriages, in particular his efforts to have his first marriage annulled. His disagreement with the Pope on the question of such an annulment led Henry to initiate the English Reformation, separating the Church of England from papal authority. He appointed himself the Supreme Head of the Church of England and dissolved convents and monasteries, for which he was excommunicated. Henry is also known as the father of the Royal Navy; he invested heavily in the Navy, increasing its size greatly from a few to more than 50 ships. Domestically, Henry is known for his radical changes to the English Constitution, ushering in the theory of the divine right of kings.