Experts at Nostell Priory near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, have begun a pioneering public investigation into the secrets of a large, life-size painting depicting Sir Thomas More and his family. The work, which is the only faithful copy of a now-lost original by 16th-century court artist Hans Holbein the Younger, has been housed at Nostell for nearly 300 years and is considered a significant piece of British art history.

This project, commencing on September 3, 2026, involves using advanced imaging techniques such as macro X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF) scanning and infrared reflectography to examine the painting’s surface and underlying layers. The scientific analysis is taking place in a temporary studio within Nostell’s Top Hall and will continue for around eight days. Uniquely, this type of heritage science is being performed openly, allowing visitors to observe the process in real time—a UK first in public art investigation.

The painting, an oil-on-canvas measuring approximately 2.5 by 3.4 meters, is a near life-size replica thought to have been created between 1592 and 1620 by Rowland Lockey or possibly another artist, based on the lost 1527 Holbein original. The portrait shows Thomas More, Henry VIII’s Lord Chancellor who was executed in 1535 for opposing the king’s annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, surrounded by his family, pets, books, and musical instruments within the family home in Chelsea.

Curator Simon McCormack described the painting as one of Nostell’s “glories,” noting its richly detailed, jewel-like quality that creates a strong trompe l’oeil effect, making viewers feel immersed in the scene. He explained that the investigation aims to clarify aspects such as the painting’s exact date, authorship, possible alterations over time, and its fidelity to the original. “There are lots of myths and legends around our painting which heritage science may be able to help answer,” McCormack said.

The original Holbein portrait was renowned for its pioneering domestic family setting and symbolic content, including motifs like a tethered monkey—which some interpret as a symbol of household control—and references to the family’s scholarly status through books and floral imagery. The original was destroyed in a fire in 1752, making the Nostell copy especially valuable for historical and artistic study.

The research is being conducted by specialists from the Hamilton Kerr Institute at the University of Cambridge, led by director Erma Hermens, who highlighted the significance of operating their technical equipment in situ and the opportunity to share insights with the public. The imaging will collect detailed data on pigments and underdrawings that may reveal previously unknown information about the painting’s creation and history.

Following the completion of the analysis, it is expected that the findings will shed new light on one of the most intriguing family portraits of the Tudor period and enhance public understanding of the conservation science behind preserving cultural heritage. The public display of the investigative work at Nostell Priory is set to continue until September 18, 2026.