Nicholas Hilliard

her tightly curled fair hair adorned with a diadem, wearing a white dress richly embroidered in silver and gold, deep lace ruff and jewelled chains, blue background with gilded border

American Art Association Andersen Galleries New York, May 1937 (bt. by a Private Collector);
Anonymous sale, Philips London, 17 April 2000, lot 164

The miniature is preserved in fine condition. some of the detailing of the facial features has faded and it is possible that the lips have been lightly retouched. Some of the highlights used by Hilliard to define jewels have flaked off. This loss in no way detracts from the sumptuous rendering of the costume. For further information on this lot please contact either Mark Griffith-Jones (0207 293 5083) or Emmeline Hallmark (0207 293 5407) mark.griffithjones@sothebys.com emmeline.hallmark@sothebys.com
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Stylistically this miniature dates from the 1580s; a decade that saw Hilliard working at the height of his powers. The identity of the sitter however, remains open to debate. The lady, with her magnificent jewellery and sumptuous dress, clearly held a position of some importance at the Elizabethan Court. It has been suggested that she represents Lettice Knollys (1539-1634).  Knollys was born in Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire. She was the mother of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, Queen Elizabeth I's famous courtier and was also the mother of the remarkable Penelope, Lady Rich. In her second marriage, Lettice Knollys was wife to Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, Elizabeth's favourite and a close friend of the artist Hilliard. After the death of the Earl of Leicester, Lettice married Sir Christopher Blount however, she continued to be addressed as Lady Leicester. A comparison with the full-length portrait of her at Longleat shows that her colouring and physiognomy was similar to that of the present sitter.