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Secondary sourcePaintingc. 1510

Richard III (1452–1485)

British (English) School (possibly) · c. 1510

The earliest surviving painted portrait of Richard III, probably copied from a lost life original, showing him with no visible deformity.

This early portrait, possibly copied from a lifetime image, is key evidence for Richard III's real appearance.

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Painted portrait of a man with shoulder-length brown hair and a black velvet cap with a gold badge, wearing a gold brocade robe with a jeweled collar over red. He faces left against a blue-green background within a gilded arched frame. Inscription at the bottom reads 'RICHARD REX TERCI' in black letters.
Portrait of Richard III, c. 1510. Society of Antiquaries of London, Burlington House.

About this source

What it is

This is a painted portrait of King Richard III, dated to around 1510, held today at Burlington House by the Society of Antiquaries of London. The artist is possibly of the British (English) School, and the painting is believed to be a copy of an earlier, now-lost portrait painted during Richard's lifetime.

Why it matters

This painting is the earliest surviving image of Richard III and is key evidence for what he actually looked like, since it shows no sign of the deformity later described by Tudor writers like Thomas More and dramatized by Shakespeare. The inscription identifying him as king confirms its subject. Comparing this portrait with later hostile written descriptions shows how an image and a text can tell very different stories about the same person.

Look closer

  • How does this portrait's calm, dignified appearance compare with the villain described in later histories and plays?
  • Why might a painting made after someone's death still be useful evidence about their real appearance?
  • What might the rich clothing and jewelry in the portrait be meant to communicate about Richard's status?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Richard III on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Dark green cloth book cover with a white rectangular library label in the upper left reading 'UC-NRLF' above a barcode and the number 'B 4 009 742'.Book

Secondary source

History of King Richard III

Thomas More

Page 173 of an old printed book showing the title 'The Tragedy of Richard the Third' with a decorative border, the subtitle about the landing of Earle Richmond and the battle at Bosworth Field, and the opening 'Actus Primus. Scena Prima' in two columns of dense black-letter-style text.Book

Primary source

Richard III

William Shakespeare · c. 1592-1594; printed 1632

Black ink signature drawn on white background, with a long sweeping stroke rising from the left, a large looped letter in the middle, and a cursive word ending in a loop at the lower right.Document

Primary source

Signature of Richard III of England

Richard III of England · 1484

Painted illustration from a medieval roll showing a crowned woman in a red robe with an ermine-trimmed cape on the left, a standing crowned king in red crown with a sceptre in the centre wearing blue and red armour with gold fleurs-de-lis and lions, and a young boy in blue and red armour on the right. Around them are heraldic crests on helmets with labels, including a crowned lion, a harp, a dragon, and a white boar at the feet of the figures, with two hands holding crowns above the woman.Painting

Primary source

Rous Roll

John Rous · c. 1483–1485

Excavated skeleton in dark soil within an archaeological trench, with the skull at upper right facing right, showing teeth and jaw. Bones of the arms, ribs and legs are partly visible, with soil and small stones around them.Artifact

Primary source

Exhumation of Richard III of England

2012

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