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New Research Suggests Mystery Portrait May Depict Lady Jane Grey

Experts present compelling evidence that the painting could be the only known lifetime portrait of England's nine-day queen.

  • The portrait, currently on display at Wrest Park in Bedfordshire, was analyzed by English Heritage and the Courtauld Institute of Art.
  • Dendrochronological analysis dates the wooden panel to between 1539 and 1571, aligning with Lady Jane Grey's lifetime.
  • Alterations to the painting, including changes to the subject's costume and scratched-out facial features, suggest a shift to depict her as a Protestant martyr after her death.
  • The back of the panel bears a merchant's mark identical to one found on a portrait of King Edward VI, Lady Jane's predecessor and cousin.
  • While experts cannot confirm the sitter’s identity with certainty, the evidence has reignited debate about the portrait’s connection to Lady Jane Grey.
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