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Could this be the only painting of Lady Jane Grey (1537-12 February 1554)? New research by English Heritage, including dendrochronology, XRF and infra-red scanning, has provided compelling evidence in favour of confirming a mysterious portrait as depicting the infamous ‘Nine Day Queen’, the charity announced today (7 March). 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.
A striking change is visible in the eyes. Currently positioned looking to the sitter’s left, the eyes were previously looking to the sitter’s right looking past the viewer. At some point in the painting’s lifetime, the eyes, mouth and ears were also deliberately scratched out – this is likely an iconoclastic attack (the destroying of images for religious or political reasons) and an image of Lady Jane Grey in the National Portrait Gallery bears the same marks.
Picture date: Thursday February 27, 2025.
Photograph by Christopher Ison for English Heritage ©
07544044177
chris@christopherison.com
www.christopherison.com
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Could this be the only painting of Lady Jane Grey (1537-12 February 1554)? New research by English Heritage, including dendrochronology, XRF and infra-red scanning, has provided compelling evidence in favour of confirming a mysterious portrait as depicting the infamous ‘Nine Day Queen’, the charity announced today (7 March). 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.<br /> A striking change is visible in the eyes. Currently positioned looking to the sitter’s left, the eyes were previously looking to the sitter’s right looking past the viewer. At some point in the painting’s lifetime, the eyes, mouth and ears were also deliberately scratched out – this is likely an iconoclastic attack (the destroying of images for religious or political reasons) and an image of Lady Jane Grey in the National Portrait Gallery bears the same marks.<br /> Picture date: Thursday February 27, 2025.<br /> Photograph by Christopher Ison for English Heritage ©<br /> 07544044177<br /> chris@christopherison.com<br /> www.christopherison.com