I have just read a very interesting post about this portrait of an ‘English Princess’ dated back to 1535.
Originally it was implied that the sitter was Mary Tudor but of course this presents some problems because in 1535 Mary was not yet returned to favour and so would such a portrait have been commissioned? The other obvious issue is that in 1535 Mary is assumed to have been 19 years of age and this sitter to me looks much younger.
So we are left with the question, if not Mary then who? Perhaps current investigations will confirm the identify of the sitter.
Regardless of who this person is, it once again fills me with hope that one day we will either uncover a ‘new’ portrait or identify the sitter of a known portrait as being one of the Boleyns! Imagine finally seeing what George Boleyn looked like or setting your eyes upon a full length portrait of Anne Boleyn. Well, until then I can keep hoping…
To read the full post please visit Mary Tudor Renaissance Queen.
Very interesting! Am I correct in thinking that Mary was very short, as was her mother, Katherine? This sitter looks short but she also appears to have a bust, which might imply that it’s at least a teenager. I wonder, if it is Mary, could the Spanish have commissioned it, perhaps to keep Katherine’s spirits up throughout her illness and exile from her daughter?
The sitter’s expression is also very much like one I’d imagine Mary to have; somewhat serious and unhappy. I’m also fascinated by the painter’s style – it’s so realistic, it looks like a photo! Brilliant find! Thanks for sharing.
Karina
The little girl in the portrait above, reminds me of the little bridesmaid at Prince William and Lady Catherine’s wedding. His goddaughter, Grace. The the one with the hands over her ears when they were on the balcony.
The little girl in the above portrait does appear to be too young to be Princess Mary in 1535 and too old to be Princess Elizabeth in 1535. So who can she be? How about Catherine Carey? She would have been as young as nine years or as old as eleven years in 1535. I am thinking that would be an amazing discovery to find a portrait of Catherine Carey labeled English Princess. Would such a discovery confirm that she was the King’s daughter? LoL I know I am dreaming, but it would be an amazing thing to be discovered and it would mean today’s royal family are descendants of Henry viii. lol
There’s no doubt in my mind that Catherine Carey was Henry’s daughter.
Not too young to be Mary. Some people do appear young for their age. For instance my own daughter is always mistaken for younger than she actually is. Also, Mary has been described as short and flabby in appearance. That’s what you see in this painting. The portrait does resemble other portraits of Mary, except the face is not as long.
The sitter has the proportions of a child, but has a very unchildlike expression. I think she is a dwarf. There were always court dwarves, but it is unlikely that any of them could afford to have a portrait painted. So I am wondering if this could be Lady Mary Grey, Lady Jane’s younger sister ? She was said to be “a dwarf and very ugly”. I wouldn’t call the sitter ugly, but she’s certainly not pretty.
I totally agree that it might be one of the Grey sisters i dont think it would be katherine carey
A young Catherine Howard. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/HowardCatherine02.jpeg Observe the lazed right eye, the arched left nostril and the headpiece regalia of this portrait of Catherine Howard by Hans Holbein the Younger. Headpieces and other regalia were often ‘earned’ by various feats of nobility. Much as heraldry. For example, her headpiece could have been won by a notable gift of flour or bread or both to the poor. It resembles basketry.
I Think its possible that it could be or some other noble lady
Is her expression sad or mad? She seems sad and apprehensive to me. Was she an abused child? Scared of being scolded for any and everything? Or was she spoiled and angry about having to sit still for a portrait?
Maybe all of them
The eldest of the three Grey sisters, Lady Jane Grey was born abt. 1537, so unless the date of 1535 is a birth year, it wouldn’t be her. I still think Catherine Carey is a good possibility, as she was born about 1524 and would have been 10 or 11 years old in 1535. Her aunt, Anne Boleyn was still Queen until May 19, 1536. Are there any records of King Henry or Anne Boleyn giving gifts to the Carey children, especially about the year 1535?
I like this portrait of Mary, best, if it is correctly labeled as her: https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/collection/912220/princess-mary-later-queen-1516-1558 She looks not only happy but to be the age of a young adult 19 or 20 plus years. While the above photo looks much younger.
Also the Holbein drawing is dated 1536. https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/collection/912220/princess-mary-later-queen-1516-1558