Nicholas Hilliard

C.H.T. Hawkins, Bignor Park (1820-1903);
sale, London, Christie's, 16 May 1904, lot 1050 (as Possibly Madame de Sourdis);
with Joseph Duveen, 1^st Baron Duveen (1869-1939);
by whom sold to John Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913);
sale, London, Christie's, 24 June 1935, lot 101 (as Mademoiselle de Sourdis), bt. Dr Beets;
Dr Beets;
Frederick Muller, Amsterdam, by 1940;
Dr. Anton F. Philips;
sale, London, Christie's, 21 October 1997, lot 28,
where acquired by Bernadette and William M.B. Berger, Denver, Colorado

London, Victoria and Albert Museum, Artists of the Tudor Court, 1983, no. 74, p. 70

G.C. Williamson, Catalogue of the Collection of Miniatures, The Property of J. Pierpont Morgan, London 1906, vol. I, pp. 25-26, 31-32, no. 23, pl. XVI, no. 2 (as Mademoiselle de Sourdis);
G.C. Williamson, 'Mr. Pierpont Morgan's Pictures, The Early Miniatures,' The Connoisseur, December 1906, vol. XVI, pp. 205, 207, no. XI, repr. (as Mademoiselle de Sourdis);
E. Auerbach, Nicholas Hilliard, London 1961, p. 293. no. 34 (as Mademoiselle de Sourdis);
R. Strong, The English Renaissance Miniature, London 1983, pp. 77, pp. 79, 201, fig. 87

The aigrette has losses to two jewels. The pearl cluster at the ears have oxidised. The face is extensively retouched. There are elements of loss on the gold chain around the neck, near true left shoulder. There is paint loss on the brown fabric of the slashed sleeve (right side) and fragmentary loss down front. Losses to jewellery decoration running from 7 to 9 o'clock. The surface of the miniature is bowed.
"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."

This miniature was painted by Hilliard in 1577, in the middle of his three year stay in France. Previously, the sitter has been called 'Mademoiselle de Sourdis', however, this idea has been discredited and scholars agree that the sitter's 'features are without doubt those of Marguerite de Valois.'¹

Hilliard had gone aboard with his young wife, Alice Brandon, in order to 'obtain money and knowledge' and he was able to establish himself at the court of Francois, Duc d'Alençon.² In the summer of 1577, the duke and his retinue, including the Hilliards, travelled south to Poitiers and it is thought that they also visited, Marguerite, the duke's sister, who was at this time ruling over the court of Navarre at Béarn.

Marguerite de Valois was the daughter of Henri II, King of France and Catherine de' Medici. In 1572 she married her second cousin, Henri of Navarre, who was crowned King of France in 1589. Famed for her beauty, she is one of the greatest figures of the period, a reputation that continues today thanks, in part, to Alexandre Dumas's novel La Reine Margot, which was published in 1845.

1. R. Strong, Artists of the Tudor Court, The Portrait Miniature Rediscovered 1520-1620, London 1983, p. 70
2. E. Auerbach, Nicholas Hilliard, London 1961, p. 11