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For centuries, the effigy of King Henry VII has intrigued historians who admire its realistic representation and the skill involved in its craftsmanship. The techniques behind its creation have been a subject of curiosity, with theories evolving over time.
One of the most widely accepted explanations, originating from the 1980s, suggests that the effigy may have been fashioned using a death mask, hinting at the meticulous nature of its detail, believed to be crafted by an Italian Renaissance artist.
Westminster Abbey plans to delve deeper into the mystery surrounding this remarkable artifact by employing state-of-the-art 3D scanning technology. The last scanning effort, conducted around 40 years ago, relied on considerably less advanced methods.
A Work of Art
The lifelike head of Henry VII is especially notable as it is among the few surviving effigies of its kind. It serves as a key attraction in The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries within the Abbey, where it draws considerable public interest.
Experts underscore that the effigy reflects the advancing capabilities of royal portraiture during the Renaissance in England, an era when such effigies were integral to royal funerals from the 14th to the 17th century.
The impressive head of Henry VII is believed to have been sculpted by Pietro Torrigiano, an esteemed Italian artist, whose work is often highlighted for its intricate realism.
Preliminary investigations suggested that the effigy was likely created from a death mask made by layering wax or plaster onto the deceased’s face and body to capture precise likenesses.
In an effort to conclusively identify its origins, ThinkSee 3D, a digital heritage studio with extensive experience in scanning historical artifacts, will employ photogrammetry to create an incredibly detailed digital model of the head.
Results from the scanning project, set to be released later this year, may illuminate the connection between the effigy and Torrigiano’s body of work, especially since he migrated to England around 1509-10.
The tomb housing Henry VII and Elizabeth of York will also undergo scanning in this cutting-edge endeavor.
Henry VII passed away on April 21, 1509, after battling gout and asthma. His origins trace back to Pembrokeshire Castle in 1457, where he was nurtured by his mother and uncle, following his father’s death prior to his birth.
After years of exile in France, he returned to assert his claim to the throne by defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, thereby concluding the tumultuous Wars of the Roses and paving the way for a period of stability and economic growth for the monarchy.
His reign saw significant investments in construction projects, including the development of the Abbey’s Lady Chapel, where he rests alongside Elizabeth of York in a vault beneath their elaborate tomb.
They marked a significant historic moment as the first monarchs interred in the Abbey in a floor vault, significantly diverging from the traditional above-ground tombs at that time. Torrigiano was responsible for designing the marble and gilt bronze tomb.
Damage and Restoration
The original effigy, which measured 6ft 1in and provided a lifelike representation at Henry VII’s funeral, was constructed from straw, wood, and canvas, layered with hay and plaster.
Tragically, during the blitz in the Second World War, the effigy was severely damaged by water and ultimately disintegrated, with only the head preserved. The nose, previously lost, was successfully reconstructed following the conflict.
In addition to the effigy head, the scanning project will also encompass the tomb of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, alongside a terracotta bust of the king created by Torrigiano, preserved in the collection at the V&A.
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