After a tragic early life, Mary ascended the throne, though her reign was very controversial, marred by her policy of religious persecution.

Personally, I was quite surprised there were not more portraits of her with her beloved Philip, though I suppose he spent so much time on the Continent, much to Mary’s distress, that there would have been little time to paint many portraits of them together.

Portrait miniature by Lucas Horenbout, c.1525.
This is possibly the earliest surviving portrait miniature.
The inscription painted on her bodice, meaning ‘The Emperor’, probably refers to Mary’s engagement to the Emperor Charles V between 1521 and 1525.
Sketch by Hans Holbein, c.1536

Portrait by Master John, c.1544
The Family of Henry VIII by an unknown artist, c.1545.
Mary is the lady to the left within the room.
Detail of Mary from ‘The Family of Henry VIII’
Portrait by Antonis Mor, c.1554
Line engraving by an unknown artist, c.1554
Portrait by by Hans Eworth, c.1554
Bronze medal by Jacopo da Trezzo in Milan, Italy in about 1554.
Portrait by Hans Eworth, c.1554
Portrait after Anthonis Mor, c.1554-59
Portrait by the British School, c.1550s
Portrait by Hans Eworth, c. 1555–58
Line engraving by Franz Huys, c.1555
Line engraving after Jacopo da Trezzo, c.1555
Portrait of Mary and her husband, Philip of Spain, by Hans Eworth, c.1558
Mary shilling
Mary and Philip sixpence
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