King James V, King of Scotland (1512– 1542), aged 28 and Queen Mary (of Guise), Queen of Scotland (1515–1560), aged 24
British (Scottish) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1500 - 1599
Materials
Oil on panel
Measurements
1092 x 1435 mm (43 x 56 1/2 in)
Place of origin
Scotland
Order this imageCollection
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
NT 1129152
Caption
This double portrait of James V of Scotland and his second wife, Mary of Guise was probably painted after their deaths from existing individual portraits of the pair. James V and Mary of Guise were the parents of Mary Queen of Scots (1542-1587) who, during her imprisonment by Elizabeth I, was put into the care of the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury, the owners of Hardwick Hall.
Summary
Oil painting on panel, King James V, King of Scotland (1512– 1542), aged 28 and Queen Mary (of Guise), Queen of Scotland (1515–1560), aged 24, British (Scottish) School, 16th century. Inscribed below respective figures: left: IACOBVS. QUINTVS. SCOTTORUM, REX / ANNO, ÆTATIS, SVE. / 28; right: MARIA, LOTHORINGIA, ILLIVS. IN. SECVNDIS. NVP / TIIS, VXOR, /ANNO ÆTATIS SVE. 24 and below this: FATHER AND MOTHER / OF MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS. A double portrait, the King at left, half-length looking to left, in gold slashed doublet, black cloak with fur collar, his right hand holding a pendant medallion of St Andrew, his left hand resting on a cushion in front. The Queen, at right, half length, looking to left, in embroidered brown and gold dress, an ermine cloak over her arms, a pink carnation held in her right hand, her left resting on the cushion in front. The King's escutcheon between their heads and the arms of Scotland impaling Lorraine below. Carnations were often used as symbols of betrothal and this double portrait presents the couple within a few years of their marriage in 1538, which strengthened the alliance between France and Scotland. They were the parents of Mary Queen of Scots.
Provenance
In Inventory of the contents of Hardwick Hall made in 1601 and attached to the will of Elizabeth Hardwick, Countess of Shrewsbury (c.1520-1608); and thence by descent until, following the death of Edward William Spencer Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire (1895 - 1950), Hardwick Hall and its contents were accepted by HM Treasury in part payment of death duties and transferred to the National Trust, in 1959
Credit line
Hardwick Hall, The Devonshire Collection (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
below, IACOBUS, QUINTUS, SCOTTORUM, REX/ANNO, AETATIS, SUE,/28. MARIA, LOTHORINGIA, ILLIUS, IN, SECUNDUS, NUP/TIIS, UXOR/ANNO AETATIS SUE 24. (Inscription divided by Royal Arms).
Makers and roles
British (Scottish) School, artist
References
Laing 1989 Alastair Laing, “Rechristenings at Hardwick,” Country Life, 9 March 1989, pp.134-5, pp.134-5 Doran 2021: Susan Doran (ed.), Elizabeth and Mary: Royal Cousins, Rival Queens (exh. cat.), British Library, London 8 October 2021 – 20 February 2022, p.46