Bess of Hardwick, by Hans Ewouts

Portrait of Bess of Hardwick, c. 1521-1608, by Hans Ewouts or one of his students. Portrait of Bess of Hardwick, c. 1521-1608, by Hans Ewouts or one of his students. National Trust, acc. no. 1129165.

A portrait of Bess of Hardwick (Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury, c. 1521–1608) was painted by the Flemish artist Hans Ewouts (Eworth, c. 1520-1574) or one of his students. The painting dates to the 1550's. A later inscription on the painting incorrectly identifies the sitter as Mary I of England (Mary Tudor; r: 1553-1558).

In the portrait Bess of Hardwick is shown wearing a smock with high collar and long, narrow sleeves under a fur-lined gown. Both the smock collar and sleeves are decorated with redwork embroidery in a trellis and knotwork design. It is likely this is a representation of a double running stitch (Holbein stitch), which was very popular in the latter half of the sixteenth century. The painting is currently on display in Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire, England.

National Trust online catalogue (retrieved 14 August 2016).

GVE

Last modified on Sunday, 14 August 2016 18:53
Published in 16th century
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