Hans Holbein's famous portrayal of Sir Thomas More is one of the artist's greatest and most popular portraits. In the opening piece of this appealing new volume, "A Letter to Thomas More, Knight", award-winning author Hilary Mantel vividly imagines the background to the creation of this extraordinary portrait, giving it both historical perspective and immediacy. An insightful, scholarly essay by Xavier Salomon grounds it in the art-historical world.

Hans Holbein (1497/98-1543) painted Sir Thomas More in 1527, having been a guest in More's house when he first arrived in England. He brilliantly renders his sitter's rich fabrics and unshaven face with sympathy and perception.

This beautiful book will become both a useful reference for all those interested in Tudor history and art history, and a perfect gift.

Each book in the new Frick Diptych Series pairs masterworks from the Frick with critical and literary essays. This is the first volume in the series.