Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger: The Court Painter of Tudor England Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger (c. 1561/62 – 19 January 1636) stands as a pivotal figure in the artistic landscape of late 16th and early 17th century England, a master portraitist who skillfully navigated the complexities of courtly life and established himself as “the most important artist of quality to serve at the Tudor Court.” Born in Bruges, Belgium – though his exact birthdate remains uncertain – Gheeraerts’ journey led him across Europe before ultimately settling in London, where he spent nearly three decades shaping th…