A previously unknown portrait of a teenage Elizabeth I has been discovered at Boughton House, the Northamptonshire home of the Dukes of Buccleuch and Queensberry. The painting shows Elizabeth, age 18 or 19, standing to the right (from the viewer’s perspective) of her sister Mary, brother Edward, father King Henry VIII and his jester Will Somers. The finding was first reported in the June issue of BBC History Magazine.
This is the first known portrait of Elizabeth at this age. Although the painting shows Elizabeth and her siblings with Henry VIII, Tudor historian Alison Weir believes it was painted during the reign of her brother Edward VI. Only two other portraits showing Elizabeth before her accession to the throne were previously known. One, showing Elizabeth at the age of 10 or 11, is located at Hampton Court. The other, showing her around the age of 13, is in the collection of Windsor Castle. The Boughton portrait could now help historians identity several other suspected portraits of a young Elizabeth, including one belonging to the National Portrait Gallery in London.
The Boughton painting, which dates from sometime between 1650 to 1680, is actually a crude copy of one or more original panel paintings dating back to the early 1550s. It is possible that the original still exists but it’s whereabouts are unknown. The portrait was identified when the curator of Boughton House, suspecting its significance, contacted historian Tracy Borman who in turn contacted historian Alison Weir. Borman and Weir examined the painting and positively identified the sitter as Elizabeth.
The painting was previously kept in the private area of Boughton House with other Tudor portraits but it is now scheduled to go on display in August when the house opens to the public.
Web Resources:
BBC News - Rare Elizabeth I portrait found
BBC History Magazine podcast - includes interview with Alison Weir about discovery of Elizabeth portrait - interview starts at 26:08
