Thomas Godsalve and his son Sir John

This small double portrait was produced on Holbein’s first journey to England. It shows the notary Thomas Godsalve from Norwich with his son John. Both are represented attentively following an event unseen by the viewer. As a result of the positon of their heads and their gazes, the younger seems to be subordinated to the older and more experienced man. John Godsalve later had a successful career at the English court.