Inscribed 'Dad Rizzo MDLXV.' (1565)

The Italian David Rizzio arrived in Scotland in 1561 with the ambassador from Savoy. He entered the service of Mary, Queen of Scots, first as musician and later as her secretary and close companion. On the night of 9 March 1566 he was brutally murdered in Mary, Queen of Scots’ private apartments at Holyroodhouse. The murderers were led by Henry, Lord Darnley, the Queen’s second husband, who was jealous of Rizzio’s influence over Mary. Darnley led the conspirators from his apartments on the first floor up the private staircase to the Queen’s Bedchamber. They rushed in upon the Queen, her ladies and Rizzio who were in the tiny Supper Room, off the Bedchamber. Despite clinging to the Queen’s skirts, Rizzio was dragged to the adjoining Outer Chamber, stabbed fifty-six times and left to die.

The inscription identifies the sitter as Rizzio and dates the portrait to 1565, a year before his murder. This inscription was presumably added (in hope) some time after the portrait was painted, for the costume here belongs to the 1620s. 

This young musician wears a purplish jerkin with lace cuffs and a large white ruff; he holds a five-stringed violin in his left hand and the bow in his right.