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HANS HOLBEIN THE YOUNGER (1497/8-1543)

John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford (1485-1555)

c.1532-43

RCIN 912239

John Russell (c.1485–1555) was fluent in French and Italian, and it was probably his skill in languages which won him a place at court. He mainly served Henry VIII abroad, both as a diplomat and a soldier, and lost his right eye at the siege of Morlaix in 1522. For this reason Holbein showed him in profile with his right eye hidden. He was created Baron Russell in 1539 and Earl of Bedford in 1550.

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