Man in a Black Cap, by John Bettes the Elder, 1545

Portrait of an unknown man in a black cap. Oil on oak, 47 × 41 cm, dated 1545 on the front and inscribed on the back: "faict par johan bettes anglois" ("done by john bettes, englishman"). Art historians regard bettes's man in a black cap as a significant work. Its technique is reminiscent of hans holbein the younger's, suggesting that bettes may have worked with holbein as part of his workshop. [1] nothing, however, is known of holbein's workshop other than paintings associated with it. Holbein does not appear to have founded a school, and bettes is the only artist whose work reveals his technical influence. For example, he paints over a pink priming, as did holbein. According to art historian roy strong, "he is the artist who, on grounds of style, has the best claim to have worked under holbein". [2] on the other hand, bettes's style is distinct from holbein's; he paints fur more loosely and the beard more flatly than the german artist. [3] in the view of art historian susan foister, on the evidence of this portrait, bettes is "unlikely to have assisted" holbein. [3] the recording of an artist's name on a painting is rare in this period. The addition of bettes' nationality suggests that man in a black cap may have been painted abroad. [4] since the work's creation, the blue smalt pigment of the background has turned brown; the painting has also been cut down along the sides and bottom, with the inscription reaffixed to the back. [1] it has been speculated that the portrait may be of edmund butts, the brother of the william butts whom bettes painted. Both were sons of william butts, a court physician whose portrait was painted by holbein in 1543. [1] references ↑ a b c karen hearn, dynasties: painting in tudor and jacobean england, 1530–1630, london: tate publishing, 1995, isbn 1854371576, 46–47. ↑ roy strong, the english icon: elizabethan & jacobean portraiture, london: paul mellon foundation, 1969, 65–67. ↑ a b susan foister, holbein in england, london: tate, 2006, isbn 1854376454, 116. ↑ ellis waterhouse, painting in britain: 1530–1790, london: penguin, 1978, isbn 0140561013, 23. Date: 1545. Dimensions: height: 47 cm (18.5 in); width: 41 cm (16.1 in). Collection: Tate Britain.