Lot 238
LARGE PORTRAIT MINIATURE OF MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS Y
19TH CENTURY
Scottish Works of Art & Whisky
Auction: Lots 1 - 412 | 20 August 2024 at 10am
Description
probably painted on ivory or vellum, showing a full length portrait of the queen, mounted in a gilt slip and gilt gesso frame, handwritten ink inscription to the backing paper verso
Dimensions
miniature 19cm high x 14.5cm wide, 32cm high x 28cm wide including frame
Footnote
Note: Based on the transcribed inscription to the back of the frame, this miniature is an inverted copy of the full length portrait of Mary Queen of Scots by Daniel Mytens (c.1590-1647) painted circa 1627 (The Royal Collection, RCIN 401182). That painting was one of several portraits that were owned by Charles I of his paternal grandmother. It was based on several earlier portraits of Mary Queen of Scots dated from more than twenty years after her execution in 1587 during the reign of her son James. One being a now three quarter length portrait believed to have been cut down from full length (National Portrait Gallery, London, Accession number NPG 429), that was once in the Royal Collection. Although this portrait was once thought to be later, recent analysis of the panel support has dated the wood to the mid-sixteenth century, indicating that it was made during her lifetime. Another full length portrait by an unknown artist circa 1610 (Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Accession number PG 1073), may be a copy of the former. These portraits in turn based Mary's features on miniatures painted during her imprisonment in England, most likely her two likenesses by Nicholas Hilliard (1547-1619) (The Royal Collection, RCIN 420641 and Victoria & Albert Museum P.24-1975). This type of portrait is associated with the efforts of Mary's son, James VI and I, to rehabilitate his mother's reputation.
Sold in compliance with UK Government and APHA regulations, with (non-transferable) exemption registration reference D5ZGZ9YR
Please be aware that this lot contains material which may be subject to import/export restrictions, especially outside the EU, due to CITES regulations. Please note it is the buyer's sole responsibility to obtain any relevant export or import licence. For more information visit http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/imports-exports/cites/