Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley (King of Scotland, Duke of Albany, Earl of Ross) (1545–1567)
British (English) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1561
Materials
Oil on panel
Measurements
292 x 216 mm (11 ½ x 8 ½ in)
Order this imageCollection
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
NT 1129177
Caption
Darnley was the son of Matthew Stuart, 4th Earl of Lennox and Lady Margaret Douglas. He was created Baron Ardmannoch and Earl of Ross on 15 May, 1565, and married Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, that same year, in the Chapel of Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh. In July that year he was created Duke of Albany and proclaimed King of Scotland. They had one surviving son, James VI of Scotland and I of England (1566-1625); their twins were stillborn in 1568. Darnley was murdered, possibly with Mary’s knowledge and consent, on 10 February, 1567 at the Provost’s House, Kirk-o’-Field, Edinburgh and was buried in Holyrood Abbey. Although delicately painted, the inadequate number of buttons, and the absence of any front opening to the jerkin suggest that the portrait was altered at a later date.
Summary
Oil painting on panel, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, (King of Scotland, Duke of Albany, Earl of Ross) (1545–1567), British (English) School, circa 1561. Portrait bust, turned slightly to the left, gazing at spectator, wearing white tunic, black coat, white lawn ruff and dark cap with ostrich feather. He was the son of Matthew Stuart, 4th Earl of Lennox and Lady Margaret Douglas, daughter of Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus. Born on 7 December 1545 at Temple Newsam, Yorkshire, and styled Lord Darnley from birth. He was created Baron Ardmannoch and Earl of Ross on 15 May, 1565; married Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots on 29 July, 1565 in the Chapel of Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh; created Duke of Albany on 20 July 1565 and proclaimed King of Scotland on 28 July 1565. They had one son: James VI and I (1566-1625), born on 19 June 1566 at Edinburgh Castle, and stillborn twins born between 18 and 24 July 1568 at Lochleven Castle. Darnley was murdered, possibly with Mary’s connivance, on 10 February, 1567 at the Provost's House, Kirk-o’-Field, Edinburgh and was buried in Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh.
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); 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 (acquired through the National Land Fund and transferred to The National Trust in 1959)
Makers and roles
British (English) School, artist