Portrait of a Lady

Artist Artist Unknown

Date1615-20

Mediumoil on canvas

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 101.5 cm, Width: 85.8 cm
Frame: Height: 125.2 cm, Width: 106.6 cm

AcquisitionPresented in 1922 by James Chalmers in memory of his wife, Catherine McDonald Chalmers.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationOn Display - Gallery 18

Object numberABDAG003404

Keywords

Historic Title

A Lady at the time of Mary, Queen of Scots

About MeThis full-length portrait first appeared in Germany in the early years of the 17th century and was established in Britain by the end of the century. This type of three-quarter length portrait is characteristic of the later years of the reign of Elizabeth I, when many of the portrait painters were foreigners, from Germany, Holland or Italy.

We know nothing of the sitter, although her lavish costume indicates that she was from an important family. She has matching pearl ropes wrapped around her wrists, elaborate gloves and several rings. One of these hangs from a rope around her neck, another she wears on the thumb of her left hand. From the costume details, for example the elaborate neck ruff, the portrait has been dated to c.1615-20.

More About Me

Collections Wall

This three-quarter length portrait style appeared during the later reign of Elizabeth I, but the costume details have been dated to the time of James VI and I.

Exhibitions

Gallery 18 - People & Portraits