Catherine Parr

Catherine Parr

attributed to Master John
oil on panel, circa 1545
71 in. x 37 in. (1803 mm x 940 mm)
Purchased with help from the Gulbenkian Foundation, 1965
Primary Collection
NPG 4451

Sitter

Catherine Parr (1512-1548), Sixth Queen of Henry VIII. Sitter associated with 9 portraits.

Artist

Master John (active 1544-1545). Artist associated with 3 portraits.

This portrait

For a time the sitter in this painting was thought to be Lady Jane Grey. However, there is considerable evidence to support the traditional identification as Catherine Parr, including the distinctive crown-shaped brooch, which can be identified in an inventory of jewels belonging to the queen.

Linked publications

Audio Guide
Tudor Portraits Resource Pack, p. 18
Cooper, John, Visitor's Guide, 2000, p. 14
Cooper, John, A Guide to the National Portrait Gallery, 2009, p. 10
Cooper, Tarnya; foreword by Antonia Fraser, A Guide to Tudor and Jacobean Portraits, 2008, p. 15
David Williamson, Kings and Queens, 2010, p. 91
Gittings, Clare, The National Portrait Gallery Book of The Tudors, 2006, p. 14
John Cooper, National Portrait Gallery Visitor's Guide, 2006, p. 14
Ribeiro, Aileen, The Gallery of Fashion, 2000, p. 35
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 109
Strong, Roy, Tudor and Jacobean Portraits, 1969, p. 75
Williamson, David, The National Portrait Gallery's History of the Kings and Queens of England, 1998, p. 89

Subjects & Themes

Carpets and textiles
Clocks and timepieces
Fashion tour
Hats and head-attire
Jewellery
Tudors and Elizabethans tour