This is a copy of a portrait of Mary I by Anthonis Mor in the Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid. It shows her at three-quarter-length facing slightly to the left, seated in an ornate chair, holding a book in her left hand and gloves in her right hand. On the edge of the hanging behind her are woven the initials MR.

Painted soon after her marriage to Philip II of Spain in 1554, Mary is shown wearing a dark velvet gown and matching partlet concealing her shoulders and neck, in keeping with modest styles in Spain at this date. Her linen smock is embroidered with a strapwork and foliate design with red silk thread. It is visible around the neckline and at her wrists where it has been pulled into puffs through slits in her foresleeves. She also wears the diamond pendant from which hangs the 58.5 carat La Peregrina pearl, a betrothal gift from the Spanish king. According to one courtier, Mary I ‘seem to delight above all in arraying herself elegantly and magnificently’.

Anthonis Mor (1519-75) was born in Utrecht and worked in Antwerp, Italy, Spain and Portugal. In 1554 he was commissioned to paint a portrait of Mary I which was sent to Philip II of Spain as part of the marriage negotiations. The popularity of the resulting portrait meant that many versions of it were painted of which this is one.