Subjects for discussion, Uncategorized

Beware the Lack of Provenance!

The artefact under examination is a lignum vitae pot with a silver repoussé lid, speculated to potentially have belonged to Mary Queen of Scots. Purchased anonymously, its provenance raises questions, as the middleman provided limited details regarding its history. The pot features significant symbolism, including motifs that may connect to the Virgin Mary and allude to Mary Stuart's life and affiliations with the prestigious Talbot family. Despite its intriguing decorations, a definitive link to Mary or later figures like Arbella Stuart remains unproven. The analysis emphasizes the importance of provenance in antique acquisitions.

Books, Guest Posts

Guest Post: Lady Katherine Grey : A Tragic Inheritance by Conor Byrne.

Conor Byrne studied for his Bachelor's degree in history at Exeter University, and his Master of Arts in medieval and early modern history at the university of York. He is currently a PhD student at the University of Southampton research the history of executed queens. He has previously written on the life of Katharine Howard.… Continue reading Guest Post: Lady Katherine Grey : A Tragic Inheritance by Conor Byrne.

Books

Lady Katharine Grey: A Dynastic Tragedy by Conor Byrne- A Review

Author : Conor Byrne, BA (Hons), MA. Publisher: The History Press. I received this latest biography by Conor Byrne from the publishers on Friday, 22nd July.  It sits well in the hand and the size of the text makes it easy to read.  Congratulations History Press on a beautifully produced book. Lady Katharine Grey & her son, Edward… Continue reading Lady Katharine Grey: A Dynastic Tragedy by Conor Byrne- A Review

Artists of Northern Europe, Conferences and Symposia, Flemish primitives, Great Mistresses, Illuminated manuscripts, Illumination of legal documents, portrait miniature, Portraiture, Royal Portraits, Simon Bening, Tudor portraiture

Levina Teerlinc (?) Henry VIII’s court artist from 1546 – 1576

The author recounts their discovery of Levina Teerlinc, a significant 16th-century woman artist, while researching for their MA. They analyze a portrait by Nicholas Hilliard, suggesting it depicts Teerlinc as the Unknown Lady. Teerlinc's status as Elizabeth I's official painter raises her profile in the male-dominated art world of the period.

Artists of Northern Europe, Original Documents, portrait miniature, Portraiture, Renaissance, Royal Portraits, Tudor portraiture

How we know the Tudor Royals from 1485 – 1558; and who painted them.

Articles in various publications have looked at Franny Moyle’s suggestion that Holbein left clues regarding the identification of one of his sitters of his miniatures being of Henry VIII’s fourth wife, Anna, Duchess of Cleves and not Katherine Howard as suggested by George Vertue writing in the 18th century. The recent article about Moyle’s theory… Continue reading How we know the Tudor Royals from 1485 – 1558; and who painted them.