2-652-717 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Anne of Cleves (1515-1557), fourth wife of Henry VIII of England, 19th century. Henry VIII married Anne, a German Protestant princess, in 1540 for political reasons at the urging of his Chancellor, Thomas Cromwell. Hans Holbein painted a portrait of Anne for Henry who, finding her appearance on canvas to his liking, agreed to the marriage. In the flesh however, he found her considerably less attractive, and the marriage was annulled after only six months. (Colorised black and white print).