Italian, North, 'Portrait of a Lady in a Plumed Hat', probably 1565-75
Full title | Portrait of a Lady in a Plumed Hat |
---|---|
Artist | Italian, North |
Date made | probably 1565-75 |
Medium and support | oil on paper, mounted on canvas |
Dimensions | 44.8 × 34 cm |
Acquisition credit | Sir Claude Phillips Bequest, 1924 |
Inventory number | NG4033 |
Location | Not on display |
Collection | Main Collection |
This unidentified woman wears a costume dating from the second half of the 1560s or early 1570s. Her feathered jewelled hat is influenced by fashion in Lombardy and Venice, and her costume resembles that in a portrait drawing of a similar date attributed to Sofonisba Anguissola (Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden). The portrait has previously been thought to be by Giuseppe Salviati or Niccolò dell’Abate.
The lady wears a gold crucifix on a triple chain around her neck and a gold pendant hanging from a black ribbon. The figure in silhouette on her pendant holds a tall object that resembles a distaff, used in spinning. The distaff is the symbol of Nona, the Roman goddess of pregnancy and the spinner of the thread of life. Pregnant women called upon her when their baby was due to be born; the young lady may be pregnant and wearing the pendant as a charm.
This unidentified woman wears a costume dating from the second half of the 1560s or early 1570s. Her feathered jewelled hat is influenced by fashion in Lombardy and Venice, and her costume resembles that in a portrait drawing of a similar date attributed to Sofonisba Anguissola (Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden). The portrait has previously been thought to be by Salviati or Niccolò dell’Abate.
The lady wears a gold crucifix on a triple chain around her neck and a gold pendant hanging from a black ribbon. The figure in silhouette on her pendant – seemingly a kneeling woman holding a tall object that resembles a distaff, used for spinning – may give us a clue to her identity. It may be intended to express the sitter’s household industry or possibly refer to her name. The distaff is also the symbol of Nona, the Roman goddess of pregnancy and the spinner of the thread of life, which she spun from her distaff onto her spindle. Pregnant women called upon her in their ninth month when their baby was due to be born; the young lady may be pregnant and wearing the pendant as a charm.
Download a low-resolution copy of this image for personal use.
License and download a high-resolution image for reproductions up to A3 size from the National Gallery Picture Library.
License imageThis image is licensed for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons agreement.
Examples of non-commercial use are:
- Research, private study, or for internal circulation within an educational organisation (such as a school, college or university)
- Non-profit publications, personal websites, blogs, and social media
The image file is 800 pixels on the longest side.
As a charity, we depend upon the generosity of individuals to ensure the collection continues to engage and inspire. Help keep us free by making a donation today.
You must agree to the Creative Commons terms and conditions to download this image.