Mary, Lady Guildford
1527
Hans Holbein the Younger captured Mary, Lady Guildford in striking detail during his first trip to England in 1527. Notice the sprig of rosemary pinned to her bodice—a classic Renaissance symbol of remembrance—and the angular, jewel-encrusted headdress that frames her face. She clutches a small green book, hinting at her piety and education, while standing confidently beside a classical column against a brilliant blue backdrop. Holbein's incredible attention to the textures of her black velvet and gold brocade dress shows exactly why he soon became the favorite portraitist of King Henry VIII.
Location: National Gallery, London
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