Painting of Henry VIII's 'Lost' Palace For Sale
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Nov. 4, 2010 -- It was among Henry VIII's grandest undertakings: a castle to outshine the castle of his rival, King Francois I of France. And so it was named "Nonsuch," as in no other palace could ever equal its magnificence.
But, after taking eight years to construct, the Nonsuch Palace would end up standing for less than 150 years. In the 1680s, the grand estate fell into disrepair and was lost to history.
This is why this 1572 watercolor by the Flemish painter Joris Hoefnagel, the earliest known image of the palace, is estimated to fetch around $1.9 million. According to Christie's auction house, which is selling the work, the painting is one of just a handful of direct depictions of Nonsuch.
"Not only is it one of the earliest British watercolors and a work of art of immense beauty, but it is also the most exact pictorial record of Henry VIII’s great commission, Nonsuch Palace," said Benjamin Peronnet, director and International Head of Old Master and 19th Century Drawings at Christie's said in a statement.
In fact, Henry VIII died before the palace was completely finished. It was then sold to an Earl, then returned to royal hands when it was given to Elizabeth I in settlement of a debt. Eventually it was granted to a countess (rumored to be a king's mistress) in 1670 who had built up gambling debts. In order to pay her collectors, the countess had the palace dismantled and then sold off its raw materials.
By 1690, the palace was all but gone and its former fabulous appearance nearly forgotten.
Photo: Nonsuch Palace, as painted by Joris Hoefnagel in 1572. credit: Christie's
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