The Great Matter

Why it's great

Catherine of Aragon kneels before her husband Henry VIII at a church court in 1529, begging him not to end their marriage. Henry's 'Great Matter' was getting this annulled, which led England to leave the Catholic Church. Emanuel Leutze painted it in 1846.

🏛️ Part of history

The Protestant Reformation (1517–1648) — Catherine of Aragon kneels before her husband Henry VIII at a church court in 1529, begging him not to end their marriage.

Where to see it

📍 Location not recordedWe couldn't confirm where it hangs today. Museums sometimes move or lend paintings, so check the museum's website before you travel.

Hang it on your wall

⬇ Hi-res download 1,400 × 997 px · 1.4 megapixels This is the largest scan on Wikimedia Commons, which is fairly small for a big print. The museum that owns it may offer a larger one. File page & license ↗

Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:

💵 Budget Etsy ↗ Posters and simple prints from small sellers, usually the lowest prices. 🖼️ Mid-range Fine Art America ↗ Good printing on paper, canvas or metal, made to order, with framing options. 🏛️ High-end Meisterdrucke ↗ Museum-grade giclée prints on archival paper or canvas, the closest to the real thing.

These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.

About the artist

Emanuel Leutze

1816–1868 · born in Schwäbisch Gmünd · died in Washington, D.C.

Emanuel Leutze was born in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany, and moved to the United States as a child. He later studied in Düsseldorf, Germany, and lived there for years while painting American history scenes. He returned to the U.S. in 1859 and worked in Washington, D.C. His painting of Washington crossing the Delaware became a national icon.