Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester

Sitterback to top

• Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester (1532 or 1533-1588), Courtier and magnate; favourite of Elizabeth I. Sitter associated with 62 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Unknown Anglo-Netherlandish artist. Artist associated with 16 portraits.

This portraitback to top

A reasonable number of contemporary portraits of Leicester still exist, and he was particularly interested in his own image. He is shown here in a brilliant red suit wearing the badge of the Order of the Garter. It is possible that this picture was originally a full-length portrait which has been cut down. Some of the artist's preparatory drawing, particularly in the face, has become visible on the surface of the painting over time.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Tudor Portraits Resource Pack, p. 27
• Clare Gittings, The National Portrait Gallery Book of Elizabeth I, 2006, p. 15
• Cooper, John, A Guide to the National Portrait Gallery, 2009, p. 14
• Cooper, Tarnya; Fraser, Antonia (foreword), A Guide to Tudor and Jacobean Portraits, 2012, p. 16
• MacLeod, Catharine, Tudor Portraits in the National Portrait Gallery Collection, 1996, p. 27
• Ribeiro, Aileen, The Gallery of Fashion, 2000, p. 44
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 374
• Strong, Roy, Tudor and Jacobean Portraits, 1969, p. 192
• Williamson, David, The National Portrait Gallery: History of the Kings and Queens of England, 1998, p. 104
• Williamson, David, Kings and Queens, 2010, p. 102

Subject/Themeback to top

• On display at the Gallery