Dr Adam Busiakiewicz, a British art historian working for Sotheby’s, discovered a missing Henry VIII portrait by spotting it in a random X post. It appears the portrait was hidden in plain sight for centuries. Our website was able to ask Mr Busiakiewicz about the details of the discovery.  

The portrait was one of 22 made for tapestry maker and land owner Ralph Sheldon in the 1590s during the reign of Elisabeth I. 

“It is a 16th-century painting of Henry VIII and it is quite rare. There were many later copies of paintings depicting monarchs, but this one is an old one,” Dr Busiakiewicz said describing the artistic and historical meaning of the portrait.

“It is a very exciting re-discovery because the painting was considered missing for hundreds of years,” Adam Busiakiewicz added. 

Dr Busiakiewicz also told us about the identification process:

“The painting was hung very high on a wall, and that is why many people might not see it. After I’ve spotted it in an X post I made an appointment there for next week. I went there with my other friend who is also an art historian. We could use a ladder and then I realised this is undoubtedly the portrait of Henry VIII”

We also asked Mr Busiakiewicz about his Polish roots and their impact on his today’s professional life.  

“Three out of four of my grandparents are Polish refugees of the 2 World War. My grandparents were born in Eastern Poland which is now Belarus. During the war, they were sent to a labour camp in Northern Russia. My grandparents then were able to travel to Persia, and moved along with the Anders army to then settle in the UK,” Mr Busiakiewicz said. 

“I was always interested in history, from a young age, my Dziadek [grandpa] told me constantly about the history of his life which was very inspiring because he travelled so widely. I loved studying the history of objects. I have a lot to thank for my family roots,” Adam Busiakiewicz said.  

Here you can watch the BBC report about the discovery: 

It is now up to the council to decide where the painting will be re-displayed. Thanks to Dr Busiakiewicz the council was able to locate and secure a very important piece of art of high historic significance. 

You can learn more details about the portrait and its story on Dr Busiakiewicz’s art history blog. 

Tomasz Modrzejewski

Photo: Adam Busiakiewicz