What does the yellow writing say?

The inscription tells us the story of why this portrait came to be painted. It suggests it was painted whilst both men were imprisoned. The words 'Anno 1554' are added either side of the head on each of the men, showing the year it was painted.

Flicke had been working in England since at least 1546. He may have been imprisoned in connection with a popular uprising (Wyatt's Rebellion) that occurred in 1554 during the reign of Mary I in reaction to her marriage to Philip of Spain. Flicke depicts himself with palette in hand showing his profession as an artist. The inscription in Latin suggests that he may have expected his imprisonment to end in execution.

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Above his head is written:
Talis erat facie Gerlachùs Flicci: ipsa
Londonia qu_di Pictor Vrbe fuit
Hanc is ex Speculo p charis pixit amici
Post obit_ possint quo meminisse sui.

This can be translated as:
Such in appearance was Gerlach Fliccius, at the time when he was a painter in the city of London. This portrait he painted from a mirror for his dear friend, that they might be able to remember him after his death.

It is very unusual for an artist to tell us how he produced his work and why. The reference to the use of a mirror is particularly interesting. It was not until the mid sixteenth century that crystal glass mirrors were imported into England: they were a great novelty and expensive luxury items. It is possible that Flicke used a cheaper steel and silver mirror, made of alloyed metal, that slightly distorted the reflected image. This might be why his own portrait is quite loosely focused.

Strangwish was reportedly Flicke's friend and had the nickname the 'Red Rover of the Channel'. He became renowned in the 1550s for his activity as a 'gentleman-privateer', roving Europe in search of plunder. It is probable that he may have been opposed to the marriage of Mary I with Philip of Spain and was a member of a group of pirates who aided France in capturing Spanish galleons. This event may have led to his imprisonment in 1554. Although by the 1560s Strangwish was a trusted officer in the service of Queen Elizabeth I. In this portrait Strangwish is shown with a lute.

Over his head is written in English:
Strangish thus strangely depicted is
One prisoner for thither hath done this,
Gerlin hath garnisht for his delight
This woorck whiche you se before youre sight.

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