Called Lady Jane Grey, Queen (1537–1554), possibly Lady Mary Neville, Lady Dacre (1524-c.1576)
British (English) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1700 - 1799
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
737 x 610 mm (29 x 24 in)
Order this imageCollection
Dunham Massey, Cheshire
NT 932281
Caption
Lady Jane’s connection with the Stamford Greys is through her uncle, John Grey, who was great-grandfather of the 1st Earl of Stamford. She was proclaimed Queen in 1553 on the death of Edward VI, but was deposed and beheaded after a reign of only two weeks. A similar portrait, on panel and presumably earlier, belongs to Lady Lucas (ex. Wrest Park Collection). The only accepted likeness of Lady Jane is in the National Portrait Gallery, to which this bears no resemblance.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Called Lady Jane Grey (Dudley) (1537–1554), possibly Lady Mary Nevill, Lady Dacre (1524 - c.1576), British (English) School, 18th century. A three-quarter-length portrait of a young woman, turned slightly to the left, gazing to the left, the index finger of her left hand inserted in a book which she is holding at her waist, she is wearing a deep maroon dress with wide-cuffed sleeves, a short white over-sleeve worn from the shoulder to part way down the arm, a white lace stand up-collar with some flowers tucked into the nekline. She has reddish hair with a centre parting, covered by a plain white linen French Hood. Lady Jane’s connection with the Stamford Greys is through her uncle, John Grey, who was great-grandfather of the 1st Earl of Stamford. She was proclaimed Queen in 1553 on the death of Edward VI, but was deposed and beheaded after a reign of only two weeks. A similar portrait, on panel and presumably earlier, belongs to Lady Lucas (ex. Wrest Park Collection). The only accepted likeness of Lady Jane is in the National Portrait Gallery, to which this bears no resemblance.
Provenance
Probably commissioned by Harry Grey, 4th Earl of Stamford for Dunham Massey after 1736 and thence by descent; bequeathed to the National Trust with the house, estate and all the contents of Dunham Massey by Roger Grey, 10th Earl of Stamford (1896 - 1976)
Makers and roles
British (English) School, artist
References
Edwards 2013 J. Stephan Edwards, 'A Life framed in portrits An Early portroat of Mary Nevill Fiennes, Lady Dacre', The British Art Journal, Volume XIV no. 2, Autumn 201, pp. 14 - 20