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2mo ago

New Research Suggests Mystery Portrait May Depict Lady Jane Grey

Experts present compelling evidence that the painting could be the only known lifetime portrait of England's nine-day queen.

Dendrochronology, or tree ring dating, reveals the oak panel was probably used for the painting between 1539 and around 1571, according to English Heritage.
EMBARGOED 00.01 FRIDAY 7 MARCH: Is this the face of Lady Jane Grey? English Heritage Conservator Rachel Turnbull gives this mysterious portrait a final examination before it goes on display from today (7 March) at Wrest Park in Bedfordshire. New research by English Heritage, including dendrochronology (tree ring dating), XRF and infra-red reflectography, has provided compelling evidence in favour of confirming the mysterious portrait as depicting the infamous ‘Nine Days Queen’ - it would be the only known depiction painted during her lifetime. From the newly discovered evidence of a once more elaborate costume and the dating of the wooden panel from within her lifetime, to the deliberate scratching of her eyes, ears and mouth, it is possible that we are looking at the shadows of a once more royal portrait of Lady Jane Grey, toned down into subdued, Protestant martyrdom after her death. The portrait, on loan from a private collection, is on display from today at Wrest Park in Bedfordshire, alongside six other paintings including one of Wrest’s most prominent owners, Jemima Marchioness Grey.
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Overview

  • The portrait, currently on display at Wrest Park in Bedfordshire, was analyzed by English Heritage and the Courtauld Institute of Art.
  • Dendrochronological analysis dates the wooden panel to between 1539 and 1571, aligning with Lady Jane Grey's lifetime.
  • Alterations to the painting, including changes to the subject's costume and scratched-out facial features, suggest a shift to depict her as a Protestant martyr after her death.
  • The back of the panel bears a merchant's mark identical to one found on a portrait of King Edward VI, Lady Jane's predecessor and cousin.
  • While experts cannot confirm the sitter’s identity with certainty, the evidence has reignited debate about the portrait’s connection to Lady Jane Grey.