Who painted Sir Thomas Kytson?

Sir Thomas Kytson was painted by George Gower in 1573.

Where can I see Sir Thomas Kytson?

Sir Thomas Kytson is held by National Gallery.

Can I buy a print of Sir Thomas Kytson?

Museum-quality prints of Sir Thomas Kytson are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Sir Thomas Kytson

George Gower , 1573

Sir Thomas Kytson is an oil painting by George Gower. It dates from 1573 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery.

About this work

Overview

George Gower’s oil portrait, dated 1573, presents Sir Thomas Kytson the Elder. The work is part of the collection at Tate Britain and exemplifies the straightforward portraiture typical of the late Tudor period.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, a man with dark hair and a neatly trimmed mustache, gazes directly at the viewer with a composed, serious expression. His attire—a black, high‑collared shirt and a conspicuous gold chain—signals status while the plain brown backdrop keeps focus on his face.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil on panel, Gower employs a restrained palette and smooth brushwork that render the fabrics and skin with subtle tonal variation. The lack of elaborate scenery or symbolic objects reflects a shift toward individualized representation in the late sixteenth century.

History & Provenance

Created in 1573, the portrait entered the public domain through acquisition by Tate Britain, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s holdings of Tudor and early Stuart portraiture.

Context

During the 1570s, English portraiture was moving away from the heavily emblematic style of earlier reigns toward a more personal, realistic approach. Gower, serving as Serjeant Painter to Queen Elizabeth I, contributed to this transition, and the portrait of Sir Thomas Kytson illustrates his role in shaping the visual language of the period.