The Holbein Gate, Whitehall

The Holbein Gate was part of the Palace of Whitehall, and stood a little south of where Inigo Jones' Banqueting House stands today. It was built during the reign of Henry VIII. At this time the Palace of Whitehall was divided in two, with a road, known as The Street running through the middle. It was at either end of this that Henry had splendid gate houses constructed with the Holbein Gate being to the north. It was an ornate three storey structure with a pattern of stone and flint with portrait miniatures possibly by Giovanni da Maiano. There is some debate as to Holbein's involvement in the construction, and it seems most likely that it was built from a design by the artist rather than with his direct input. It has also been suggested, more tenuously, that Holbein used one of the rooms in the Holbein Gate as a studio. The gate was removed in 1750 when The Street was widened.