Unknown woman, possibly Lady Arabella Stuart

Sitterback to top

• Lady Arabella Stuart (1575-1615), Cousin of James I. Sitter associated with 6 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Unknown artist. Artist associated with 6233 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This intriguing image has traditionally been identified as Lady Arabella Stuart due to its similarity to authenticated portraits of the Scottish noblewoman. Arabella was a direct descendant of Henry VII and, as such, represented a rival to Elizabeth I's monarchy. The costume, hairstyle and facial likeness to other portraits indicate that this identification may be plausible.
It is not clear what purpose this small scale painting on paper was originally meant to serve. The honeysuckle in the sitter's right hand could be interpreted as a traditional symbol of love. It is possible that the painting was intended as a love token. However, it could also have been one among a series of other small scale family portraits displayed as a group to demonstrate dynastic links.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Cooper, Tarnya (introduction) Banville, John (character sketch) Chevalier, Tracy (character sketch) Fellowes, Julian (character sketch) McCall Smith, Alexander (character sketch) Pratchett, Terry (character sketch) Singleton, Sarah (character sketch) Trollope, Joanna (character sketch) Waters, Minette (character sketch), Imagined Lives: Portraits of Unknown People, 2011 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from December 2011 - June 2012), p. 23
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 689
• Strong, Roy, Tudor and Jacobean Portraits, 1969, p. 302

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

• Imagined Lives: Portraits of Unknown People (3 December 2011 - 8 July 2012)

Portrait setback to top

• Miniatures: Highlights

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Gloves and gauntlets
• Jewellery