Fundraising bid launched to bring long lost portrait of Henry VIII portrait to museum in Warwick

The service is looking to raise thousands of pounds to help restore the painting so that it can be put on display inside the Market Hall Museum in Warwick town centre.

The Tudor painting gained much attention last year when it was revealed to be a long lost portrait of Henry VIII.

How was the portrait found?

A post on X (previously Twitter) by the Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire led to the discovery of a piece of artwork commissioned by Warwickshire landowner Ralph Sheldon in the 16th century that was long thought to be lost.

Art historian and consultant for Sotheby's, Dr Adam Busiakiewicz, came across the post by chance and noticed a particular painting in the photo with a distinctive arched top that caught his attention.

Dr Busiakiewicz arranged a visit to view the painting in person with Warwick historian Aaron Manning.

Following observations and further research, he confirmed that the portrait of King Henry VIII is a Sheldon Master, part of a 22-piece portrait collection from the 1590s commissioned by Ralph Sheldon, a Warwickshire landowner.

The collection features portraits of kings, queens, and significant contemporary international figures.

The paintings were commissioned by Warwickshire landowner, Ralph Sheldon, along with four Tapestry maps, in the 1590s, for his new home at Weston House, near Shipston on Stour.

The 22 original portraits were sold in 1781 by decedents of Ralph Sheldon, and the paintings were dispersed.

Surviving paintings from the set can be found in various collections, including the National Portrait Gallery, Eton College, Knebworth House and in several private collections, but the location of all 22 portraits is unknown.

Warwickshire County Council said it had only acquired the portrait as recently as 1951.

What has happened since it was discovered?

The Warwickshire Museum Service, which is part of Warwickshire County Council’s Heritage and Culture Warwickshire team, have completed initial research on the painting supported by conservation experts.

Now the team at the service are hoping to complete much needed conservation work on the portrait before moving it to public display.

Cllr Heather Timms, Warwickshire County Council portfolio holder for environment, climate and culture, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to bring one of Sheldon’s original portraits into Market Hall Museum to sit alongside a portrait of the artist himself and the Sheldon Tapestry, all sited less than 20 miles from where the portraits and tapestry hung at Weston House in the 1570s.

"We are committed to conserving this significant artwork and bringing it to Market Hall Museum, ensuring that this piece of our shared heritage is accessible to all."

What are the Warwickshire County Museum Service team fundraising for?

The painting requires conservation work, reglazing and specialist lighting, total cost of £18,000.

A fundraising campaign is being launched this month to raise the funds needed to complete the project and return the portrait to public view in Warwick.

It is hoped Henry’s portrait will hang next to the portrait of Ralph Sheldon, adjacent to the Sheldon Tapestry Map of Warwickshire, in the gallery of the Market Hall Museum.

Donations to to the fundraising can be made by contacting museum at: [email protected] or by calling: 01926 412501 or visiting the museum in person.