Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia

Sitterback to top

• Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia (1596-1662), Daughter of James I. Sitter associated with 45 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Michiel Jansz. van Mierevelt (1567-1641). Artist associated with 55 portraits.

This portraitback to top

The only surviving daughter of James I and Anne of Denmark, Elizabeth married Frederick, Elector Palatine in 1613. In this portrait she wears the famous Medici Pearls, also known as the Hanover Pearls, six strands joined together in a thick rope. The pearls have a long history. They were originally given to Catherine of Medici by Pope Clement VII; she in turn gave them to her niece, Mary, Queen of Scots. When Mary died the pearls were, it is thought, confiscated by Elizabeth I. On Elizabeth's death they passed to Mary's son James I who gave them to his daughter, Elizabeth of Bohemia. Elizabeth in turn gave them to her daughter Sophia on her marriage to the Elector of Hanover. The pearls returned to England with Sophia's son, George I, and remained here until the reign of Queen Victoria. Victoria refused to return the pearls to her uncle, the Duke of Cumberland, when he became the Elector. This led to a court case which lasted for twenty years and which was eventually settled in favour of Hanover. The pearls may never have been returned however. Queen Alexandra wore a choker of them and it is said that Elizabeth II has earrings and a diadem of the same provenance.

Related worksback to top

• NPG D19040: Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia (after)

Linked publicationsback to top

• Piper, David, Catalogue of Seventeenth Century Portraits in the National Portrait Gallery, 1625-1714, 1963, p. 118
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 203
• Williamson, David, The National Portrait Gallery: History of the Kings and Queens of England, 1998, p. 111
• Williamson, David, Kings and Queens, 2010, p. 109

Subject/Themeback to top

• Montacute House