Anne Boleyn; King Henry VIII
- Artist: Staffordshire Potteries
- Date: circa 1850
- Medium: coloured and glazed earthenware
- Dimensions: 9 5/8 in. x 7 3/8 in. (245 mm x 187 mm) overall
- Portrays: Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This figurine shows Anne Boleyn beside King Henry VIII in a relaxed pose. The figures are carved from colored, glazed earthenware and give the piece its subtle shine. You’ll see Anne in a simple dress with a modest collar, her hair pulled back into a bow—she looks serene. Beside her, Henry holds his hand on her shoulder, looking down at her. Their faces are finely detailed, with delicate eyes and gentle smiles. The potters’ work is typical of the 1850s Staffordshire style, popular in everyday domestic settings. These ceramic portraits were made to sit on walls or tables, not just on gallery walls. In 2017 this small piece was added to the Reference Collection as a charming example of 19th‑century portraiture. It reminds us that historic subjects could appear both on grand canvases and on humble kitchen tiles.
See it in person
Anne Boleyn; King Henry VIII is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
