Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester
Miniature
1571-1574 (made)
1571-1574 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Miniature painting, or limning as it was traditionally called, developed from the art of illustrating sacred books, also called limning. Nicholas Hilliard first trained as a goldsmith and in his early days as a limner was experimental in his approach to the art. In this miniature he kept the traditional round format, but in place of the conventional blue background painted a decorative pattern on a silver ground, which has now tarnished.
People
Robert Dudley was the fifth son of the Duke of Northumberland. He rose rapidly to favour under Elizabeth I who made him Master of the Horse in 1558 and a privy councillor in 1559. He long hoped to marry the Queen, but the death of his wife in suspicious circumstances made this politically unwise. Dudley however remained a favourite, and in 1564 Elizabeth created him Earl of Leicester.
Patronage
Leicester was a notable patron of the arts and letters. In 1571, the year of his first known work as a limner, Hilliard prepared a 'booke of portraitures' for Leicester. In 1572 he painted the Queen for the first time, and it is likely that he got this commission through the influence of Leicester. Hilliard's gratitude to Leicester was such that he named his children after Leicester or those close to him.
Miniature painting, or limning as it was traditionally called, developed from the art of illustrating sacred books, also called limning. Nicholas Hilliard first trained as a goldsmith and in his early days as a limner was experimental in his approach to the art. In this miniature he kept the traditional round format, but in place of the conventional blue background painted a decorative pattern on a silver ground, which has now tarnished.
People
Robert Dudley was the fifth son of the Duke of Northumberland. He rose rapidly to favour under Elizabeth I who made him Master of the Horse in 1558 and a privy councillor in 1559. He long hoped to marry the Queen, but the death of his wife in suspicious circumstances made this politically unwise. Dudley however remained a favourite, and in 1564 Elizabeth created him Earl of Leicester.
Patronage
Leicester was a notable patron of the arts and letters. In 1571, the year of his first known work as a limner, Hilliard prepared a 'booke of portraitures' for Leicester. In 1572 he painted the Queen for the first time, and it is likely that he got this commission through the influence of Leicester. Hilliard's gratitude to Leicester was such that he named his children after Leicester or those close to him.
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Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Watercolour on vellum |
| Brief description | Portrait miniature on vellum by Nicholas Hilliard depicting Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. Great Britain, ca. 1571-74. |
| Physical description | Watercolour on vellum depicting Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, wearing a black doublet embellished with gold, a thin gold chain suspended around his neck, from which would have hung the Lesser George of the Order of the Garter. He is also wearing a black cap, studded with gold jewels, and trimmed with red and green plumes. The background is painted as a silver damask curtain. |
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| Credit line | Given by the Rt. Hon. Viscount Harcourt |
| Object history | Painted in London by Nicholas Hilliard (born in Exeter, Devon, possibly 1547, died in London, 1619) |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Object Type Miniature painting, or limning as it was traditionally called, developed from the art of illustrating sacred books, also called limning. Nicholas Hilliard first trained as a goldsmith and in his early days as a limner was experimental in his approach to the art. In this miniature he kept the traditional round format, but in place of the conventional blue background painted a decorative pattern on a silver ground, which has now tarnished. People Robert Dudley was the fifth son of the Duke of Northumberland. He rose rapidly to favour under Elizabeth I who made him Master of the Horse in 1558 and a privy councillor in 1559. He long hoped to marry the Queen, but the death of his wife in suspicious circumstances made this politically unwise. Dudley however remained a favourite, and in 1564 Elizabeth created him Earl of Leicester. Patronage Leicester was a notable patron of the arts and letters. In 1571, the year of his first known work as a limner, Hilliard prepared a 'booke of portraitures' for Leicester. In 1572 he painted the Queen for the first time, and it is likely that he got this commission through the influence of Leicester. Hilliard's gratitude to Leicester was such that he named his children after Leicester or those close to him. |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.1174-1988 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
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