Jobaaj Stories
Is This the Lost Portrait of Lady Jane Grey?
A newly discovered painting, long overlooked, may be the only known portrait of Lady Jane Grey, the "Nine Days Queen," painted during her short life. New research, using cutting-edge technology, suggests this previously unattributed artwork depicts the teenage queen who reigned for a mere nine days in 1553 before her execution. This exciting development challenges long-held assumptions about the surviving imagery of this tragic historical figure.
A Tudor Mystery Unveiled
Led by English Heritage, a team of historians and conservators subjected the painting to rigorous testing. Dendrochronology (tree-ring dating) placed the wooden panel's creation between 1539 and 1571, strongly suggesting it was painted during Lady Jane's lifetime. Infrared reflectography revealed significant alterations to the original image, including changes to the sitter's clothing and, strikingly, the deliberate scratching out of her eyes, mouth, and ears – a possible act of iconoclasm motivated by religious or political reasons. This same damage is also found on another purported portrait of Lady Jane at the National Portrait Gallery.
Challenging Traditional Depictions
For centuries, the most famous image of Lady Jane Grey has been Paul Delaroche's 1833 painting, "The Execution of Lady Jane Grey," a dramatic and emotionally charged depiction of her execution. However, this and other known portraits were created long after her death. This newly examined portrait, now on loan to Wrest Park, offers a potentially groundbreaking alternative, providing a glimpse of how she might have actually looked during her short time as Queen.
Scientific Evidence and Historical Context
The research, a collaboration between English Heritage and the Courtauld Institute of Art, utilized infrared reflectography to reveal alterations to the sitter’s costume, showing changes to her sleeves and the addition of a white scarf. The analysis further reveals that the sitter's eyes, initially looking right, were changed to look left. This adds a layer of complexity to the painting's history, hinting at deliberate alterations possibly aimed at transforming the image of the young queen into a more subdued representation of a Protestant martyr.
A Compelling Argument, Not a Definitive Answer
While the researchers acknowledge that definitive confirmation of the sitter's identity remains elusive, the evidence presents a compelling case. The combination of dating evidence, the modifications to the portrait, and the similarities to other known (albeit later) depictions of Lady Jane Grey make this discovery incredibly significant for historical scholarship and art history alike. The painting is currently on public display at Wrest Park, offering a rare opportunity to see this fascinating artwork firsthand and further debate its implications.
