Imaginary Portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots (1542–1587)
Catherine da Costa
Category
Art / Miniatures
Date
circa 1720
Materials
Tempera on ivory
Measurements
50 mm (H)52 mm (W)
Order this imageCollection
Ham House, Surrey
NT 1140204
Summary
Portrait miniature, tempera on ivory, Imaginary Portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots (1542–1587) by Catherine da Costa (b.c.1678 - fl.1730). Oval. c.1720. Mary Queen of Scots, 1542-1587. Head and shoulders portrait of a young woman, turned slightly to right, gazing to the right, in a black dress trimmed and with a collar of grey fur, and black head-dress. Grey eyes, light brown braided hair, pale face, brilliant blue background. Catherine da Costa was born in London in 1679, the eldest daughter of Dr Fernando Mendes (1647-1724) who was physician to King Charles II and Queen Catherine of Braganza. Catherine da Costa is the earliest known English-born Jewish artist. She was baptised at Somerset House and named after her godmother, the Queen. She learned miniature painting, or limning, from Bernard Lens the younger (1682-1740) and was one of the earliest artists to paint in watercolours on ivory.
Makers and roles
Catherine da Costa, publisher