4 OF 14 
Venetia, Lady Digby
4 of 14 portraits on display in Room 6 at the National Portrait Gallery
Venetia, Lady Digby
by Sir Anthony Van Dyck
oil on canvas, circa 1633-1634
39 3/4 in. x 31 1/2 in. (1011 mm x 802 mm)
Purchased with help from the Pilgrim Trust, 1984
Primary Collection
NPG 5727
Click on the links below to find out more:
Sitterback to top
- Venetia, Lady Digby (1600-1633), Beauty; wife of Sir Kenelm Digby. Sitter associated with 4 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Sir Anthony Van Dyck (1599-1641), Painter. Artist associated with 996 portraits, Sitter associated with 28 portraits.
This portraitback to top
This allegorical portrait by Van Dyck is thought to have been painted as a posthumous tribute to Lady Digby, who is shown as Prudence, trampling on profane Love and spurning two-faced Deceit. Her doves and the snake she holds allude to St Matthew: 'Be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves.'
Linked publicationsback to top
- Audio Guide
- Cooper, John, Visitor's Guide, 2000, p. 36
- John Cooper, National Portrait Gallery Visitor's Guide, 2006, p. 37
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 179
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On display in Room 6 at the National Portrait Gallery
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