Portrait of a Lady, probably a Member of the Cromwell Family
Painting by Hans Holbein the Younger / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Portrait of a Lady, probably a Member of the Cromwell Family is an oil on panel portrait completed in around 1535–1540 by Hans Holbein the Younger now at the Toledo Museum of Art. The painting shows an elegantly but demurely dressed young woman sitting against a blue-grey background. The subject of this portrait is thought to be a member of the Cromwell family, perhaps Thomas Cromwell's daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Seymour, sister to Jane, third consort of Henry VIII.[1]
Portrait of a Lady, probably a Member of the Cromwell Family | |
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Artist | Hans Holbein the Younger |
Year | c. 1535–1540[1] |
Medium | oil on panel[1] |
Dimensions | 72.1 cm × 49.5 cm (28.4 in × 19.5 in)[1] |
Location | Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio |
Accession | 1926.57 |
Website | www |
The painting is inscribed in gold — ETATIS SVÆ 21 — the sitter's age: 21; her sumptuous clothing and jewellery indicates that she is a lady of high status. She wears a French hood edged with white, heavily embroidered in gold, with a falling black veil. She has auburn hair, parted in the middle and blue-grey eyes. Around her neck she wears a necklace set with pearls and diamonds, to which is attached a pendant jewel. Her black satin gown, with a square black velvet yoke, is open at the neck and turned back to show the white lining.[3] The sleeves, decorated with stylised vines in gold with a fleur-de-lis motif, are fastened at intervals with gold aiglets; richly embroidered cambric ruffles are showing at the wrists.[4][5]
On the bodice of her gown, is a brooch from which hangs a large circular pendant with a diamond at the centre and a biblical theme: Lot with his family, guided by an angel, fleeing from Sodom. To the left of the central gem is Lot's wife who was turned to a pillar of salt because she disobeyed God and looked back to Sodom.[6] A design by Holbein for this pendant survives in the British Museum.[7] Another larger circular jewel, probably also designed by Holbein, is attached to her girdle, depicting God the Father enthroned, flanked by angels.[8]
Two related copies of the portrait are extant: a 16th-century version at Hever Castle in Kent: Portrait of a Lady, thought to be Catherine Howard.[9] and another from the late 17th-century at the National Portrait Gallery, London: Unknown woman, formerly known as Catherine Howard.[10]
- Medallion of Lot with his family, guided by an angel, fleeing from Sodom. Hans Holbein the Younger. (British Museum)[7]
- Portrait of a Lady, thought to be Catherine Howard. 16th-century. Follower of Hans Holbein the Younger. (Hever Castle)[9]
- Unknown woman, formerly known as Catherine Howard. Late 17th-century. After Hans Holbein the Younger. (National Portrait Gallery)[10]