Thomas Howard, 21st Earl of Arundel

Thomas Howard, 21st Earl of Arundel, 4th Earl of Surrey and 1st Earl of Norfolk (7 July 1586–4 October 1646) was a prominent English courtier during the reigns of King James I and King Charles I, but he made his name as an art collector rather than as a politician. When he died he possessed 700 paintings, along with large collections of sculpture, books, prints, drawings, and antique jewellery. His collection of marble carvings, known as the Arundelian Marbles, was left to the University of Oxford.

As a Collector and Art Patron

Arundel commissioned portraits of himself or his family by contemporary masters such as Daniel Mytens, Peter Paul Rubens, Jan Lievens, and Anthony Van Dyck. He acquired other paintings by Hans Holbein, Mytens, Rubens, and Honthorst.

Related Topics:
Daniel Mytens - Peter Paul Rubens - Jan Lievens - Anthony Van Dyck - Hans Holbein

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He collected drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, the two Holbeins, Raphael, Parmigiano, Wenceslaus Hollar, and Dürer. Many of these are now at the Royal Library at Windsor Castle or at Chatsworth.

Related Topics:
Leonardo da Vinci - Holbein - Raphael - Parmigiano - Wenceslaus Hollar - Dürer - Royal Library - Windsor Castle - Chatsworth

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The architect Inigo Jones accompanied Arundel on one of his trips to Italy. It was there that he saw the work of Palladio which was to become so influential to Jones's later career.

Related Topics:
Inigo Jones - Palladio

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Amongst his circle of scholarly and literary friends were James Ussher and Sir William Harvey.

Related Topics:
James Ussher - Sir William Harvey

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