See the Ditchley portrait of the Queen for comparable elements. sleeve shape, open ruff, the deeply-pointed bodice and the 'great farthingale' supporting a very wide skirt (with pleated over-skirt). This is a portrait of the 1590s, possibly even a touch later (c.1575 is much too early), based on distinctive elements in the sitter's dress - e.g. You are right that this cannot be Blanche Parry - in fact she was almost certainly dead by the time it was painted. The whereabouts of this picture of Blanche Parry (1508–1590), if it still exists, are unknown (image attached). Richardson, 'Mistress Blanche, Queen Elizabeth I's Confidante' (2018) and

Margaret's Church, Westminster, see Ruth E. The painting was previously designated ‘Portrait of an Elizabethan Lady’ and by Federico Zuccaro (c.1542–1609), who was in England for only six months in 1575.įor more referenced details and discussion of portraits of Blanche Parry, which include her known portrait, her monumental sculpture in Bacton Church, Herefordshire, and her funerary sculpture in St. Both the style of clothes and the date mean that the sitter cannot be Blanche, but she could be one of Blanche's many god-daughters, many of whom were named Blanche, and/or a descendant of one of Blanche's Parry cousins. This portrait is of a young woman wearing the fashionable court dress of the later 16th century – the hat and ruff are styles in fashion after c.1575. Blanche was born in 1507/1508 and died on Thursday 12th February 1590 (modern dating), aged 82. While it would be wonderful if this were Blanche Parry, Queen Elizabeth I's constant companion for 56 years, it is most unlikely.

Elizabeth by Robert Stephen Parry