Portrait, supposedly of Mary Queen of Scots
Miniature
early 18th century (painted)
early 18th century (painted)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This image is supposed to depict Mary Queen of Scots (1542–87). It was very famous in early 18th-century Britain and much copied. The ‘original’ for these copies was a damaged portrait miniature that belonged to the Duke of Hamilton. This was believed to be of Mary Queen of Scots. It was restored by the miniature painter Peter Cross (about 1645-1724) according to prevailing ideas of female beauty, but it bore little resemblance to the queen’s actual portrait. This image was reproduced in prints at the time and Bernard Lens painted many versions in miniature, such as this one. The costume worn by this unknown woman is in fact similar to costumes depicted in miniatures from the 1560s painted by Levina Teerlinc. She worked at the court of Elizabeth I.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Portrait, supposedly of Mary Queen of Scots (popular title) |
| Materials and techniques | Watercolour on ivory |
| Brief description | Portrait miniature of 'Mary Queen of Scots', a copy of an alleged portrait 'amended or repaired' by Peter Cross, watercolour on ivory, painted by Bernard Lens (1682-1740).; Lens, Bernard |
| Physical description | So-called portrait of Mary Queen of Scots. Signed in monogram. Inscribed "MariaReginaScotorum" |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Object history | Item Provenance: Provenance: See P.60-1987 |
| Production | This is a copy of an alleged portrait of Mary Queen of Scots, that was notoriously "amended or repaired" by the miniature painter Peter Cross. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This image is supposed to depict Mary Queen of Scots (1542–87). It was very famous in early 18th-century Britain and much copied. The ‘original’ for these copies was a damaged portrait miniature that belonged to the Duke of Hamilton. This was believed to be of Mary Queen of Scots. It was restored by the miniature painter Peter Cross (about 1645-1724) according to prevailing ideas of female beauty, but it bore little resemblance to the queen’s actual portrait. This image was reproduced in prints at the time and Bernard Lens painted many versions in miniature, such as this one. The costume worn by this unknown woman is in fact similar to costumes depicted in miniatures from the 1560s painted by Levina Teerlinc. She worked at the court of Elizabeth I. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | P.62-1987 |
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| Record created | July 27, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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