PORTRAIT OF SIR THOMAS GRESHAM, GRESHAM COLLEGE has just been
enriched by a valuable and appropriate ornament—a full-length portrait of its illustrious founder, at the age of twenty-six: It has been presented throagh Professor Taylor, by his friend. John ThrustomEsq., of Hozne Abbey,,Suffolk. Heinle Abliey„originally a priory of Benedictine monks, was granted by Henry the Eighth,, at the dissolution of monasteries, to- Sir Richard Gresham; who sold it to. the Thruster! family ; and with the rest of the property,. this, portrait. of Sir Thomas Gresham came into their possession. The authenticity' of the picture is. therefore unquestionable: and that the person represented lathe founder of Gresham College appearallim the following inscription, in large i characters, on one. aide—" /544. Thomas Gresham: 26 "—with tint 'merchant's mark below it. On the other side is another inscription, whisk: connects the painting with the marriage of the original: it runs thus...- " A. G. Love, serve, and obei. T. G."
Sir Thomas is dressed in black, wearing the flat cap of the period,
out ornament of any kind, except a ring on his finger; and at his feet lies a skull. The impression this portrait conveys is very different from tke
idea formed of Gresham's character and physiognomy from the likenemen of him painted later in life; but the features of the old man are traceable in these youthful lineaments. The face is handsome, and its expression thoughtful and contemplative; yet in the calm brow, observant eye and sensitive mouth, there are indications of that penetrating sagacity and de termination of purpose that distinguished the man of business and action in after year& The picture is attributed to Holbeiu; but it has more of the Italia& school,—the head especially, which is painted in a much finer manner
than the hands and the rest of the figure. It is on panel, and the colour has scaled off in part& showing a white ground beneath. Besides the blis- tering of the paint and the cracking of the panel, the picture has also suffered from the botching of some bungler. It is intended to have it pmr- perly repaired by a skilful hand.
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