Portrait of Queen Mary I of England
Reproduction print (likely offset lithograph or photogravure) on paper • Original attributed to Hans Eworth (after Antonis Mor); present item is a mass-produced reproduction
Style & Movement
Tudor Portraiture / Northern Renaissance (original style)
Medium & Technique
Print technique mimicking an oil on panel painting; original was likely oil with glazing
Creation Period
Modern reproduction (20th century) of a mid-16th-century original (c. 1554)
Dimensions & Format
Small format, approximately 8x10 inches; vertical portrait orientation
Subject Description
Half-length portrait of Mary I (Bloody Mary) seated in a high-backed chair. She wears a dark gown with an elaborate lace ruff and a jeweled French hood. Her expression is austere, reflective of her stern reign.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (as a decorative object); visible reflections and slight surface wear consistent with age
Estimated Market Value
$20 - $50 (USD)
Auction Estimate
$10 - $30 (USD)
Provenance History
Unknown; likely purchased as a museum souvenir or decorative home goods item. Similar prints were widely distributed by UK heritage sites.
Art Historical Significance
Representational of the primary iconographic image of the first Queen Regnant of England. Significant as a 20th-century cultural artifact that democratizes Royal Tudor history through reproduction.
Notable Features
Includes a decorative Louis-style gilded frame with beaded inner molding and scrollwork on the outer edges, typical of mid-century domestic decor.
Condition Issues
Subject to fading from UV exposure; potential paper yellowing; frame shows minor gilding loss at the corners
Conservation Recommendations
Keep out of direct sunlight to prevent UV fading; clean frame with a dry microfiber cloth; ensure acid-free backing is used if re-framed