Biography

Hans Eworth was trained in Antwerp and was working in England by 1545. He was the principal court painter during the reign of Mary I. His style was influenced by the work of Hans Holbein, who had been in the service of Mary's father, Henry VIII, and his highly detailed portraits have an enamelled quality. After Mary's death in 1558, Eworth was initially out of favour, and worked for the leading Catholic families away from the court. At the end of his life he was employed by the Office of Revels, designing costumes and décor for Queen Elizabeth's pageants and receptions.