Anne of Denmark, Queen of James I
Miniature
ca. 1603 (made)
ca. 1603 (made)
| Artist/Maker |
Object Type
After the childless Elizabeth I (ruled 1558-1603), James I (ruled 1603-1625) offered the nation a hopeful dynastic future. He had a young family, Prince Henry (1594-1612), who was his heir, Prince Charles (1600-1649) and Princess Elizabeth (1596-1662). James embraced portraiture as a way to promote the new Stuart dynasty. During this reign, there was a massive proliferation of miniature portraits of members of the Royal Family.
People
Anne of Denmark (1574-1619) was Queen of James I and daughter of Frederick II of Denmark and Norway (ruled 1559-1588). She married James VI of Scotland in 1589. In 1603, when he became James I of England, she was crowned with him at Windsor, Berkshire. She took a great interest in court entertainments, and personally appeared in court masques created by the playwright Ben Jonson (1572-1637).
This miniature is a version of a standard portrait type of Anne of Denmark, which was repeated in other versions in miniature by either Nicholas Hilliard (possibly born in 1547, died 1619) or Isaac Oliver (born about 1558, died 1617). Oliver was appointed Anne's limner (an early term for a miniature painter) in 1604. It is not known, however, whether it was Hilliard or Oliver who had the sitting with Anne that led to this type. The Queen is portrayed in a low-cut dress, standing collar and high dressed hair set with jewels. In some versions, her right hand extends across her bosom. This portrait is is closer to Hilliard's type than to Oliver's.
After the childless Elizabeth I (ruled 1558-1603), James I (ruled 1603-1625) offered the nation a hopeful dynastic future. He had a young family, Prince Henry (1594-1612), who was his heir, Prince Charles (1600-1649) and Princess Elizabeth (1596-1662). James embraced portraiture as a way to promote the new Stuart dynasty. During this reign, there was a massive proliferation of miniature portraits of members of the Royal Family.
People
Anne of Denmark (1574-1619) was Queen of James I and daughter of Frederick II of Denmark and Norway (ruled 1559-1588). She married James VI of Scotland in 1589. In 1603, when he became James I of England, she was crowned with him at Windsor, Berkshire. She took a great interest in court entertainments, and personally appeared in court masques created by the playwright Ben Jonson (1572-1637).
This miniature is a version of a standard portrait type of Anne of Denmark, which was repeated in other versions in miniature by either Nicholas Hilliard (possibly born in 1547, died 1619) or Isaac Oliver (born about 1558, died 1617). Oliver was appointed Anne's limner (an early term for a miniature painter) in 1604. It is not known, however, whether it was Hilliard or Oliver who had the sitting with Anne that led to this type. The Queen is portrayed in a low-cut dress, standing collar and high dressed hair set with jewels. In some versions, her right hand extends across her bosom. This portrait is is closer to Hilliard's type than to Oliver's.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Anne of Denmark, Queen of James I (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Watercolour on vellum, with frame of ebony on oak |
| Brief description | Anne of Denmark |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
MINIATURES OF THE ROYAL FAMILY Probably framed together 1625-1650 James I's young family, celebrated in this group of miniatures, offered hope of a secure dynasty. Prince Henry, James I's elder son, was a noted patron of artists, who died suddenly aged 18. Miniatures were given as personal gifts and were small enough to be worn to mark a courtier's loyalty. Painted in the studios of Nicholas Hilliard (born in Exeter, Devon, possibly 1547, died in London, 1619) and Isaac Oliver (born about 1558-1568 possibly in Rouen, France, died in London, 1617)(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | The Salting Bequest |
| Object history | Possibly painted by Nicholas Hilliard |
| Summary | Object Type After the childless Elizabeth I (ruled 1558-1603), James I (ruled 1603-1625) offered the nation a hopeful dynastic future. He had a young family, Prince Henry (1594-1612), who was his heir, Prince Charles (1600-1649) and Princess Elizabeth (1596-1662). James embraced portraiture as a way to promote the new Stuart dynasty. During this reign, there was a massive proliferation of miniature portraits of members of the Royal Family. People Anne of Denmark (1574-1619) was Queen of James I and daughter of Frederick II of Denmark and Norway (ruled 1559-1588). She married James VI of Scotland in 1589. In 1603, when he became James I of England, she was crowned with him at Windsor, Berkshire. She took a great interest in court entertainments, and personally appeared in court masques created by the playwright Ben Jonson (1572-1637). This miniature is a version of a standard portrait type of Anne of Denmark, which was repeated in other versions in miniature by either Nicholas Hilliard (possibly born in 1547, died 1619) or Isaac Oliver (born about 1558, died 1617). Oliver was appointed Anne's limner (an early term for a miniature painter) in 1604. It is not known, however, whether it was Hilliard or Oliver who had the sitting with Anne that led to this type. The Queen is portrayed in a low-cut dress, standing collar and high dressed hair set with jewels. In some versions, her right hand extends across her bosom. This portrait is is closer to Hilliard's type than to Oliver's. |
| Associated objects | |
| Bibliographic reference | Graham Reynolds, 'Portraits by Nicholas Hilliard and his Assistants of King James I and his Family', The Volume of the Walpole Society, vol. 34, 1952, pp. 14–26 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | P.148-1910 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
