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9:03 pm
June 21, 2009
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Hi everyone,
I've been curious about this for some time but never knew who to ask! Months ago I found this portrait of Anne which is at Ludlow Castle Lodge. I can't find any details about it – the artist, the time period, its legitmacy, etc. Ives' book is very thorough about the various images of Anne, and this one is not included. Does anyone know any information on this portait?
It's actually my favorite – she looks so life-like as if she could walk right off the canvas, and her eyes reach out to you!
Noli me tangere
1:21 am
February 16, 2009
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What a beautiful portrait! It looks very similar to the one from the National Portrait Gallery by unknown artist dated late sixteenth century and thought to be a copy of an earlier work – see http://www.npg.org.uk – so perhaps it is by the same unknown artist. What a find, Emma!
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
6:53 am
June 21, 2009
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That's what struck me – the storng resemblence to the NPG portrait. That angular face and incredible eyes! She looks so very regal. Unfortunately Google has been no aid in trying to find out more about this portrait.
Noli me tangere
9:59 am
February 16, 2009
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No, it doesn't seem to exist on Google does it? Definitely a hidden treasure! I reckon it's the same artist as the NPG one. It really is beautiful. Is that your own photo of it? Would you mind me using it on the site in a gallery or blog? If you don't mind, could you email me a copy of it please – thanks. Email is claire@theanneboleynfiles.com
Thanks for sharing it and sorry I haven't got any answers for you. Is the Castle Lodge privately owned? I suppose we could contact them and see if they know anything about it.
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
10:00 am
February 16, 2009
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By the way, I can't quite read the latin to the right of Anne – what does it say? Thanks!
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
12:57 pm
June 24, 2009
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This picture is altogether much more inviting and sensual than the NPG one, though. For one thing the lips are parted – very unusual in any portrait of Tudor ladies. And look at those jutting breasts! This would be an enticement, I should think … to catch a king. The phoenix is there on the top of the cup – but what is that beside it? A golden apple? A tennis ball? The sheet of paper looks like music, or very large writing. But we cannot tell from this image. The latin inscription … does it mean aged 31? That would be in the year 1532 or thereabouts – before the wedding. Interesting!
SR
1:57 pm
June 20, 2009
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I've never seen this portrait, but it is a great one! I wonder why it's been so hidden?
Let not my enemies sit as my jury
4:21 pm
June 24, 2009
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Another thing – isn't Anne lifting the sleeve on her right hand to reveal an un-ringed 3rd finger of her right hand? In Tudor times and earlier, the wedding ring (if there was one – the poor did not usually have them) was placed on the right-hand ring finger (as it still is in other countries). Apparently wearing the wedding ring on the left hand was a custom introduced to England only during the Reformation – and this was just a bit too early, probably, to abandon the right hand. So Anne's come-hither look is amplified by this gesture: 'Look, I'm still available!'
Am I barking up the completely wrong tree here?
SR
12:50 am
February 16, 2009
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Wow, Sarah, you've looked at it very carefully. I think it is an apple and I'm wondering if it is a falcon on the cup but you're right, it could well be a phoenix. If you get into the whole symbolism thing, is she Eve offering Adam (Henry) the forbidden fruit?
The differences that you point out between this portrait and the NPG one make me wonder if this is a more modern interpretation of Anne, based on the NPG one because facially it is quite similar. She has actually been described as having rather small breasts, whereas in this portrait she seems to be quite well endowed. What is she carrying? A pomander?
We need an art historian!
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
2:25 am
June 23, 2009
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Georgous portrait. I've never seen that one either. My first take on what she is dangling from her right hand is a pomander also. This portrait is so luminous it does seem quite alive.
Diem et animus scire cupio: I desire knowledge of the soul.
2:32 am
June 24, 2009
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Yes, a pomander for sure. Overnight I kept thinking of it. I had this fantasy that the sheet of paper was the song 'Greensleeves' that Henry was supposed to have written to Anne when he was a-wooing. So she is revealing her sleeves in response. Pity they are not green! Oh Well. Back to the drawing board, as they say.
Perhaps the ball-like object is really a pomegranate – a symbol of sensuality and seduction (the story of Persephone in Greek mythology).
SR
7:11 am
February 16, 2009
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It could be a pomegranate but then that was Catherine of Aragon's symbol so perhaps it wouldn't be appropriate. You sound just like me, Sarah, I seem to eat, sleep and breathe Tudor history and am always having little fantasies and really vivid dreams about the Tudors. My weirdest dream was dreaming about being Anne and being executed and then not being able to move my head and neck at all the next day. I think I had been sitting in a draught which caused my neck to seize up and perhaps my neck stiffness and pain caused me to have that dream – it was very strange!!
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
9:03 am
June 24, 2009
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Ahha! so definitely not a pomegranate, then.
A bit worrying that, about the neck and the dream. It reminds me a bit about all those stories of the stigmata – when people who continually contemplate the crucifixion actually get red marks on the hands and feet! Because you are always thinking about Anne … well … maybe time for a holiday?
But we would miss all your wonderful work and news!
SR
2:00 pm
February 16, 2009
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Holiday? What's that?! No, I'd miss Anne too much! I've only had the one dream like that so I think I'll be ok!
By the way, just been reading in a book that it was quite usual for a Tudor lady to have a jewelled pomander attached to her girdle for decoration so I reckon it is a pomander. This book I'm reading is fascinating – I'll do a review on it when I've finished, it's called \”Pleasures and Pastimes in Tudor England\”.
I'm glad you'd miss me! I'm really going to try to write Anne Boleyn: The Martyr tomorrow in an effort to stop Henry monopolising the blog!
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
2:13 pm
June 19, 2009
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hi all,
Breaking news indeed!
Claire and I have mailed recently about Anne's portraits, how interesting a find Emma, I am so glad that you have posted it, for us all to see.
I did manage to find a little history;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C…..ge,_Ludlow
Some interesting facts and history, there is a reference to the owner and the building seems to be for sale?
If you don't mind Emma, I would like to have a look also in photoshop at the original picture file, if you do send it on to Claire, with your permission perhaps Claire can send it on to me?
I could isolate and enlarge parts of it like the text of the letter, it might give vital clues.
I am just a mere man, but
Does Anne seem to have a “bump”???
This is a pose that I would use for an expectant mother, with the hand sweeping across.
It could help in Anne's year of birth, if she is 31 in this portrait and with child.
Love to know what the letter says?
Paudie.
If it was not this, then it would be something else?
5:10 pm
June 24, 2009
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Yes, that tummy does look rather rounded. You're right! And of course that might also explain the breasts – if Anne was normally flatish as Claire suggests, then with pregnancy they would change. Great idea, too, Paudie, about working back from this to get the year of AB's birth. Do you realise this could be the first representation of Elizabeth, hidden away under that gown!
Claire, your energy is astonishing!
SR
6:39 pm
June 19, 2009
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Hi Sarah,
yes, what a statement the picture makes if it is so.
The picture has a few clues, I would so like to see it up close some time.
The building is for sale, I wonder if the painting is going to be a part of the sale? Hope that it is not sold into obscurity.
What if the painting was for Henry?
By posing for it even, Anne has made her feelings apparent do you think?
Paudie.
If it was not this, then it would be something else?
10:31 am
June 23, 2009
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I've also noticed that her signature 'B' pearl choker is now a pendant on a long necklace. I wonder if she had alot of sets of monogrammed 'B' jewelry. I'm also wondering what the content of the piece of parchment on the table in front of her contains, that would be fascinating to read. Hopefully if they are selling the building that houses this portrait, that someone will take great pains to preserve this piece and it's legacy.
Diem et animus scire cupio: I desire knowledge of the soul.
10:40 am
June 23, 2009
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sorry about the double post here, but I noticed something else, or something extra, this portrait of Anne is showing her hands specifically her fingers, all six of them on both hands..interesting. I think that the undersleeves of her gown are light green, (of course one would have to see it in person to determine definitively) and if they are then that would probably point to the entitled song of Greensleeves also. There are some very enigmatic clues hidden in this portrait of Anne..astonishing.
Diem et animus scire cupio: I desire knowledge of the soul.
