This fascinating portrait remains something of an enigma. It was probably acquired by Queen Victoria and since its first mention in 1859 has been identified as a portrait of Queen Henrietta Maria. This is not impossible. The costume suggests a date of the early 1620s and the styles of the French court, though the ruff is unusual. The style of painting is not unlike that of Frans Pourbus II (1569-1622), the Flemish-born painter at the French court during these years, though not close enough for an attribution to be possible. Princess Henrietta Maria married Charles I the summer of 1625 when she was 15 years old. For at least three years before this she maintained a considerable household in Paris as the eldest unmarried daughter of the King. So the question can be simple put: is the sitter here aged between 13 and 15 and could she be the same person as (for example) the 29-year-old in Van Dyck’s portrait of 1638 (RCIN 400158)? Unfortunately none of the jewellery seen here can be traced or found in other portraits.

This Head and shoulders portrait within a painted oval, facing slightly to the left; wearing a blue 17th century costume, slashed on the sleeves, a standup gauze collar and blue bow at neckline; pearl and sapphire necklace, earrings and hair ornament.