William Scrots facts for kids

William Scrots (also known as Guillim Scrots or Stretes) was an important painter who worked for the Tudor court in England. He was active from about 1537 to 1553. Scrots was known for his unique painting style called Mannerism, which was popular in the Netherlands at the time.

Life as a Royal Painter

Scrots first became known in 1537 when he was hired as a court painter for Mary of Habsburg, who was the ruler of the Netherlands. Later, in 1546, he moved to England and became the King's Painter for King Henry VIII. He took over from another famous artist, Hans Holbein the Younger.

Scrots earned a very good salary, much more than Holbein did. He continued to work as the King's Painter for Henry VIII's son, Edward VI, who was a young boy when he became king. When Edward VI died in 1553, Scrots's salary stopped. It is believed he left England after that, and we don't know much about what happened to him next.

Special Painting Techniques

Scrots was known for his clever painting methods and for adding many small details to his artworks. In 1551, he was paid for three large paintings. Two of these were portraits of King Edward VI. These portraits were given as gifts to leaders in other countries.

One of Scrots's most famous paintings is a special portrait of Edward VI. It's called an anamorphic painting. This means the image looks stretched and strange unless you look at it from a very specific angle. It's like an optical illusion! This trick was similar to one used by Holbein in his painting The Ambassadors. When Scrots's anamorphic portrait was shown at Whitehall Palace in the 1590s, it was very popular and many important visitors wanted to see it.

Two full-length portraits of Edward VI, one in the Royal Collection and another in the Louvre museum, are thought to be by Scrots. These paintings show Edward in a similar pose to how Holbein painted his father, Henry VIII.

Scrots's Artistic Style

Art experts say that while Scrots might not have been the most creative painter, he knew all the newest art trends. His paintings helped bring modern European styles to the English court. He also helped make full-length portraits popular in England, just as they were becoming fashionable in other parts of Europe.

The Earl of Surrey Portrait

Scrots painted a striking portrait of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey. This painting was very different from what other English painters like Holbein had done before. It showed the Earl dressed in fancy clothes, surrounded by architectural details and symbols from old sculptures. This style, with its stretched figures and detailed backgrounds, is typical of Mannerism. This art style started in Italy and spread to France and the Netherlands.

The Earl of Surrey was a royal relative, but he faced serious accusations in 1547. He was accused of using the Royal Arms of England in a way that was not allowed, even though he was of royal descent. This painting shows him with these royal symbols.

Other Attributed Works

Some art historians have suggested that Scrots also painted a portrait of Edward VI as the Prince of Wales, with Hunsdon House in the background. Another painting, a famous portrait of Elizabeth I when she was a princess, has also been linked to Scrots. Both of these paintings are now in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle. However, some experts now question if Scrots really painted them.

Images for kids

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  Edward VI, Musée du Louvre. This painting was sent to the French court in 1552.

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  Catherine Parr, around 1545. The original is in the National Portrait Gallery, London.

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  Edward VI, around 1550.

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  Portrait of Sir Anthony Wingfield, around 1550.

See also

In Spanish: William Scrots para niños